amusement
English meaning: Amusement
Definition
A feeling of being entertained or finding something funny.
Example
“She watched the clumsy puppy with quiet amusement as it chased its own wagging tail.”
Another example: “She watched the kitten chase its tail with obvious amusement.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun with two senses: the feeling of being entertained ('to my amusement'), and a fun activity ('an amusement park'). Mildly formal in the feeling sense; uncountable there but countable as 'amusements'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From French 'amuser' (to divert, occupy), originally 'to cause to muse'.
Synonyms
- entertainment
- enjoyment
- fun
- diversion
Antonyms / Opposites
- boredom
- tedium
Related Words
- amused
- entertainment
- fun
- enjoyment
- laughter
Common Collocations
- to one's amusement
- a source of amusement
- great amusement
- with amusement
- for amusement
- amusement park
Word Forms
amusement (n); amusements (pl); amuse (v); amused (adj); amusing (adj)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B