entertain

/ˌen-tər-ˈtān/

Middle English entertinen, from Middle French entretenir, from entre- inter- + tenir to hold

verb

  1. to show hospitality to

  2. to provide entertainment for

  3. to keep, hold, or maintain in the mind

entertain guests

amuse divert entertain mean to pass or cause to pass the time pleasantly. amuse suggests that one's attention is engaged lightly. divert implies distracting attention from worry or routine occupation especially by something funny.