entertaining
UK: ˌen.təˈteɪ.nɪŋ | US: ˌen.t̬ɚˈteɪ.nɪŋ
adj. providing amusement or enjoyment
adj. engaging or diverting
v. (present participle of "entertain") holding someone's attention pleasantly
entertaining = enter<among> + tain<hold> + ing<present participle suffix>
- enter (from Latin inter, meaning "among" or "between")
- tain (from Latin tenere, meaning "to hold")
- ing (Old English present participle suffix, indicating ongoing action)
Etymology Origin:
The word "entertain" traces back to the Old French entretenir, meaning "to hold together" or "maintain," derived from Latin intertenere (inter "among" + tenere "to hold"). Over time, its meaning shifted from "maintaining support" to "holding someone's attention pleasantly," giving rise to the modern sense of amusement. The suffix -ing turns it into an adjective describing something that captivates or delights.
The magician's performance was highly entertaining.
She has an entertaining way of telling stories.
The movie was both educational and entertaining.
His jokes kept the audience entertained throughout the show.
We spent an entertaining evening playing board games.