entertained

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'entertained' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to provide someone with amusement or enjoyment. It can also mean to consider or take into account, as in "I entertained the idea of applying for the job." Example: The audience was thoroughly entertained by the comedian's jokes and lively performance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Football is about entertainment, people pay money to be entertained.

The Guardian - Sport

Using the work of French artist Invader – who creates coloured mosaics inspired by the classic Space Invaders game – to distract the kids, this is a fun, family tour that should keep all ages entertained.

The Guardian - Travel

The late, great Sir David Frost once said that television was "an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home".

The Guardian

Many years ago Tapsell entertained hopes – nurtured, I think, by Mrs Thatcher – that he would one day be chancellor himself.

The Guardian - Business

Stevens clung on until July 1999, aged 63, and entertained himself thereafter as rich peers do, playing golf - a lifelong passion - and making political mischief.

The Guardian

Although the public might be more entertained by the TV showdowns, were the party leaders really tested and were we really better informed?

The Guardian

The managers of state-owned Gazprom Neft entertained staff with Eurovision song contest winner Dima Bilan.

The Guardian

Kerry Mason, from Letterbox Library (who administer the award) added, "From boys who take up knitting to peace loving forest birds to fighting fascism, this year's shortlist entertained, tickled, provoked and rallied- but in the end, for all of our judges, Scarlet Ibis stood out for wrapping up very 'live', pressing, social concerns within skilled, gripping, storytelling".

The Guardian

The day's filming schedule, inevitably, was delayed, and Robards kept us entertained with a stream of anecdotes, most memorably the comforting admission that the first time he'd ever walked on to a Broadway stage to do an audition speech, and before he'd even opened his mouth to speak, the director called out from the stalls: "You already stink".

The Guardian

He entertained us with wit and whisky on his balcony, a literary Tiberius metaphorically tossing politicians, critics, and a good deal of contemporary literature over the balustrade and into the abyss.

The Guardian - Travel

This is partly because everyone is careful not to equate socialism and national socialism, and partly because the Left party (Die Linke) which has entertained an ambiguous relationship to the East German past, has become a force to be reckoned with.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or performances, ensure "entertained" is paired with adverbs that enhance the description, such as 'thoroughly entertained' or 'greatly entertained', to emphasize the degree of enjoyment experienced.

Common error

Avoid using "entertained" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or sophisticated verb might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'captivated' or 'intrigued' depending on the intended nuance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "entertained" is as a verb, typically in its past tense or past participle form. It describes the act of providing amusement or enjoyment to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can also denote the act of considering or harboring an idea. The examples in Ludwig showcase its varied usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "entertained" is a versatile verb with two primary meanings: to provide amusement or enjoyment and to consider an idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions grammatically as a verb, most commonly in its past tense or past participle form. Its usage spans various contexts, from describing performances and events to indicating the consideration of possibilities. While suitable for general use, more precise alternatives might be preferable in highly formal writing. The frequency of "entertained" in sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its widespread applicability in news, business, and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

amused

Focuses specifically on the feeling of enjoyment or lighthearted pleasure derived from something.

diverted

Suggests a shifting of attention to something pleasing or interesting, providing a temporary escape.

captivated

Implies a strong level of engagement and fascination, holding someone's attention completely.

intrigued

Highlights the arousal of curiosity or interest, prompting further investigation or thought.

regaled

Suggests being entertained with stories or anecdotes, often in a lively or engaging manner.

occupied

Implies keeping someone busy or engaged, often to prevent boredom or restlessness.

absorbed

Describes a state of being fully engrossed in something, losing track of time and surroundings.

considered

Focuses on the act of thinking about or taking something into account.

harbored

Suggests holding or maintaining a thought or feeling, often secretly or privately.

nurtured

Implies fostering or developing an idea or feeling, often with care and attention.

FAQs

How can I use "entertained" in a sentence?

You can use "entertained" to describe providing amusement or enjoyment, as in "The comedian "entertained" the audience with jokes." It can also mean to consider, as in "I "entertained" the idea of moving."

What are some alternatives to the word "entertained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "amused", "diverted", or "captivated".

When is it appropriate to use "entertained"?

"Entertained" is appropriate when describing an action of providing enjoyment or the state of considering an idea. Ensure the tone and context align with the intended meaning.

Is "entertained by" or "entertained with" more correct?

Both "entertained by" and "entertained with" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Entertained by" implies being amused or pleased by someone or something, while "entertained with" suggests being provided with something enjoyable, such as stories or music.