entertaining

adjective

en·​ter·​tain·​ing ˌen-tər-ˈtā-niŋ How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
ˌin-
Synonyms of entertainingnext
: providing entertainment : diverting
an entertaining book
an entertaining speaker
entertainingly
ˌen-tər-ˈtā-niŋ-lē How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
ˌin-
adverb

Synonyms of entertaining

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Examples of entertaining in a Sentence

a list of entertaining things to do on a snow day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Filmographers podcast is an academic yet entertaining show where hosts Michael Moreci and Keir Graff analyze a director’s entire career, one film at a time, within the context of the Hollywood landscape of that era. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 In these quick watches, creators must provide the most entertaining segments of a debate, usually portraying clips of jarring language and rhetoric. — Vriti Shah, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026 The eat-in kitchen is roomy for entertaining and is light and bright. — Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026 Alasdhair Willis, chief creative officer at Adidas, said Sullivan was chosen as the first footballer to wear the boots in a top-level match because of his bright future and entertaining skills. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for entertaining

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of entertaining was in 1582

Rhymes for entertaining

See All Rhymes for entertaining

Browse Nearby Words

entertainer
entertaining
entertainment
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Cite this Entry

“Entertaining.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entertaining. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

entertaining

adjective
en·​ter·​tain·​ing ˌen-tər-ˈtān-iŋ How to pronounce entertaining (audio)
: providing amusement, diversion, or recreation
an entertaining book
entertainingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on entertaining

Nglish: Translation of entertaining for Spanish Speakers

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