Amuse is a verba word that names an action, state, or occurrence with two closely related senses. It can mean to entertaingive enjoyment or hold attention in a pleasant way someone or keep them pleasantly occupiedbusy with an activity; not free or idle, and it can also mean to make someone laugh. In everyday use, the first sense is the more general one.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /əˈmjuːz/
Easy pronunciation: uh-MYOOZ (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable.
Verb meaning to keep someone pleasantly entertained.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Amuse Meaning
to keep someone pleasantly entertained
Part of speech: verb
Definition: occupy or entertain someone in an agreeable, pleasant way
Example: The play amused the audience for two hours.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- divert — A close match when it means entertain or occupy pleasantly.
- disport — A valid synonym, but formal and less common in modern English.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Amuse
Meaning 2
to make someone laugh or smile
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make someone laugh
Example: The comedian amused the children with silly jokes.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Amuse Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- divert
- disport
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse amuse with amaze. Amuse means entertain or make laugh, not surprise someone strongly.
- Amuse is not usually used for serious enjoyment like admiration or respect.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does amuse mean?
Amuse means to entertain someone or keep them pleasantly occupied. It can also mean to make someone laugh.
What is a simple synonym for amuse?
A good simple synonym is divert, especially in the sense of entertaining someone.
Is amuse the same as laugh?
Not exactly. Amuse means to make someone laugh or smile, or to entertain them. It does not mean the same thing as laugh itself.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.