amuseverb
1make (someone) laugh or smile.
2provide interesting occupation for; entertain.
Derivatives
amusedadjective
amusedlyadverb
amusingadjective
amusinglyadverb
Origin
C15 (in the sense 'deceive'): from OFr.amuser'entertain, deceive', froma-(expressing causal effect) +muser'stare stupidly'.
Thesaurusamuseverb
1her annoyance simply amused him: ENTERTAIN, make laugh, delight, divert, cheer (up), please, charm, tickle;informaltickle pink, crack up;Brit. informalcrease up.
2he amused himself by writing poetry: OCCUPY, engage, busy, employ, distract, absorb, engross, hold someone's attention; interest, entertain, divert.
Oppositesbore.