What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
entertain
Example
The magician entertained the audience with his tricks. [entertained: verb]
Example
We entertained our friends with a game night at our house. [entertained: past tense]
Example
The children were entertained by the clown's performance. [entertained: passive voice]
amuse
Example
The comedian's jokes never failed to amuse the audience. [amuse: verb]
Example
I like to amuse myself by reading funny books. [amuse: reflexive verb]
Example
The silly video on social media really amused me. [amused: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Amuse is more commonly used than entertain in everyday language. Amuse is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while entertain is less common and often used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between entertain and amuse?
While entertain is typically associated with a formal or professional tone, amuse is more associated with a casual or informal tone. Entertain is often used in more structured or planned settings, while amuse is used in more relaxed or spontaneous settings.
