What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
amusing
Example
The comedian's jokes were amusing and had the audience laughing. [amusing: adjective]
Example
The children found the clown's tricks amusing and entertaining. [amusing: gerund or present participle]
entertaining
Example
The movie was very entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. [entertaining: adjective]
Example
The magician's show was entertaining and had the audience captivated. [entertaining: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Entertaining is more commonly used than amusing in everyday language. Entertaining is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while amusing is less common and refers specifically to something that is funny or comical.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between amusing and entertaining?
While amusing is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, entertaining can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.