amusement

/ə'mju:zmənt/

Thân thiện

A child's face lights up with amusement at the puppet show.

Definition

Noun: 1. The state of experiencing enjoyment, pleasure, or lighthearted entertainment: A feeling of being entertained, finding something funny or diverting. 2. An activity, object, or event that provides entertainment or enjoyment: Something that amuses or serves as a pastime.

Usage and Examples

• As a feeling (uncountable noun):
  • The clown's performance filled the children with amusement.
  • She watched the puppy chase its tail with great amusement.
  • To my amusement, he tried to dance with two left feet.
• As an activity or source of entertainment (countable/uncountable noun):
  • The fairground offers various amusements like roller coasters and games.
  • Reading is her favorite amusement.
  • The town has few amusements for young people.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "To someone's amusement": This phrase indicates that something causes a person to feel amused. It often describes a reaction to an unexpected or mildly funny situation.
  • Much to his amusement, the cat was afraid of the cucumber.
• "A source of amusement": Refers to something or someone that consistently provides entertainment.
  • His old stories are a constant source of amusement for the family.

Variants and Related Words

• Amuse (verb): To entertain or cause someone to find something funny.
  • He tried to amuse the baby with a funny face.
• Amusing (adjective): Causing laughter or providing entertainment.
  • She told an amusing anecdote.
• Amusement arcade (noun): A place with coin-operated games and machines.
• Amusement park (noun): A large outdoor area with rides, games, and other entertainments.

Synonyms

• Entertainment: Something that holds attention and provides enjoyment.
• Diversion: An activity that distracts from routine or serious matters.
• Pleasure: A feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment.
• Recreation: Activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.
• Pastime: An activity that someone does regularly for enjoyment.

Antonyms

• Boredom: The state of feeling weary and impatient because one is unoccupied or lacks interest.
• Tedium: The state of being tedious; monotony.
• Misery: A state of great distress or discomfort.

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "Find amusement in": To derive enjoyment or entertainment from something.
  • He could always find amusement in the simplest things.
• "For amusement only": A phrase often found on games or devices indicating they are intended solely for entertainment, not for serious use or gambling.
  • The slot machine in the restaurant was labeled "for amusement only."

Học thuật

Noun

1. an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
2. a feeling of delight at being entertained

Từ đồng nghĩa

• entertainment