entertainer
UK: ˌen.təˈteɪ.nər | US: ˌen.t̬ɚˈteɪ.nɚ
n. a person who provides amusement or enjoyment, especially through performances (e.g., singer, comedian, actor).
entertainer = entertain<to amuse> + er<agent noun suffix>
- entertain: Derived from Old French entretenir (to hold together, maintain), combining entre-<between> + tenir<to hold> (Latin tenere). Evolved to mean "to amuse" by the 15th century, reflecting the idea of "holding attention."
- er: Agentive suffix from Old English -ere, indicating a person who performs an action (e.g., "teacher," "runner").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin tenere (to hold), entering English via Old French. Originally tied to hospitality ("holding guests"), it shifted to denote amusement as societal leisure expanded. The suffix -er solidifies its role as a performer.
The entertainer captivated the audience with his magic tricks.
She dreamed of becoming a professional entertainer on Broadway.
The circus hired a new entertainer to perform acrobatics.
As an entertainer, he mastered both comedy and music.
The cruise ship’s entertainers hosted nightly shows for guests.