好词典

entertain

UK //ˌen.təˈteɪn//US //ˌen.t̬ɚˈteɪn//

词源

源自中古英语 'entertinen',来自古法语 'entretenir',由 'entre-'(相互)和 'tenir'(保持)组成,原意为“保持在一起”,后引申为“招待”或“娱乐”。

verb

❶ 提供娱乐或消遣,使某人感到愉快或放松。常用于描述表演、活动或行为让人感到享受。

“The clown entertained the children with funny tricks.”

(小丑用滑稽的把戏逗乐了孩子们。)

“She entertained us with stories from her travels.”

(她用旅行中的故事让我们感到有趣。)

❶ 招待或款待某人,通常指邀请客人到家中或某个场所并提供食物、饮料或娱乐。

“They love to entertain friends at their home on weekends.”

(他们喜欢在周末邀请朋友到家里做客。)

“She entertained the business partners with a fancy dinner.”

(她用一顿丰盛的晚餐招待了商业伙伴。)

❶ 考虑或接受某种想法、建议或可能性,通常指认真思考或愿意讨论。

“The manager refused to entertain the idea of a pay cut.”

(经理拒绝考虑减薪的想法。)

“She wouldn't even entertain the thought of moving abroad.”

(她甚至不愿考虑搬到国外的可能性。)

同义词:amuse, delight, host, consider, contemplate

常见短语

entertain an idea — 考虑或愿意接受某个想法或建议,通常指认真思考其可能性。

“The CEO is willing to entertain the idea of expanding overseas.”

(CEO愿意考虑海外扩张的想法。)

entertain guests — 招待客人,通常指在家中或某个场所提供食物、饮料或娱乐活动。

“They entertained guests with a delicious meal and lively conversation.”

(他们用美味的餐点和愉快的谈话招待客人。)