Amuse
v.joyful, energeticeveryday
What it means
To hold someone's attention with light pleasure or laughter.
Reach for it when describing entertainment that lifts a moment without implying deep meaning
The conductor's imitation of a duck began to amuse the waiting children.
Choose between these
6- playful
gentle humor produces a light, personal reaction
not when Tickle is too whimsical for formal arts criticism.
- everyday
holding interest matters whether or not anyone laughs
not when Entertainment can be dramatic or moving rather than amusing.
- everyday
make laugh
actual laughter is the clear intended effect
not when Something can amuse with only a quiet smile.
- warm
the response should be joyful and affectionate
not when Delight is stronger and need not involve humor.
- formal
divert
a pleasant distraction relieves boredom or worry
not when Divert can imply turning attention away from something important.
- literary
stories or lively talk entertain an attentive group
not when Regale suggests generous performance, not a brief visual joke.
Said against
3- bore
- sadden
- annoy
It naturally appears in
3- amuse the children
Paper puppets amuse the children during the short wait.
- mildly amuse
The old advertisement may mildly amuse modern readers.
- amuse oneself
Pia can amuse herself for hours with colored string.
The word family
2Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English verb sense: entertain or cause laughter opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.