entertain

Verb

provide entertainment for
take into consideration, have in view
- "He entertained the notion of moving to South America"
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
- "entertain interesting notions"
to amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably
to have someone over at one's home for a party or visit
to receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind
to take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep
to meet or encounter, as an enemy
to lead on; to bring along; to introduce
to help; to assist; to answer a phone call

Noun

Entertainment; pleasure.
Reception of a guest; welcome.

Examples

The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.
The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience.
They enjoy entertaining a lot.
to entertain a proposal
to entertain friends with lively conversation

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English entertenen, from Middle French entretenir, from Old French entretenir, from entre (“among”) + tenir (“to hold”), from Latin inter + teneō (“hold, keep”). For the noun, compare French entretien.

Synonyms

flirt with, harbor, harbour, hold, nurse, think about, think of, toy with

Scrabble Score: 9

entertain: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
entertain: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
entertain: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

entertain: valid Words With Friends Word