amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: a means of amusing or entertaining

what are her favorite amusements

2

: the condition of being amused

could not hide his amusement

3

: pleasurable diversion : entertainment

plays the piano for amusement

Synonyms

• distraction
• diversion
• entertainment
• recreation

Examples of amusement in a Sentence

I'm reading this novel for amusement.

Several games were provided for the education and amusement of the children.

Recent Examples on the Web

The official website for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which tech billionaire Elon Musk heads, was reportedly hacked on Friday, sending waves of confusion and amusement through the internet. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025

There’s no shortage of diversions and amusements to fill your Sunday afternoon. —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025

Palmistry Reading people’s palms (palmistry) is well known as a fairground amusement, but serious forms of this divination technique exist in many cultures. —Michelle Aroney and David Zeitlyn, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

But there are more days filled with laughter, normal routines of work and school, milestones, amusement, and optimistic expectation. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing amusement

• amusement arcade
• amusement park
• to one's amusement

Kids Definition

amusement

noun

amuse·​ment ə-ˈmyüz-mənt 

1

: something that amuses

2

: the condition of being amused