amuse
Make someone smile
Amuse means to entertain or hold someone's attention pleasantly: The magician amused the children for hours.
It can suggest light diversion rather than deep engagement—something that amuses you might make you smile without provoking real laughter.
To be amused is to find something mildly funny or entertaining: I was amused by his attempts to parallel park.
The adjective amusing describes what produces this effect.
Express amusement vocally
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
- witClever, inventive humor
jest · quip · banter · gag · punchline · satire · parody · hilarity
Amuse or host
- divertCause to change course
- engageActively participate or connect
- occupyFill or dwell in
- distractDivert someone's attention
absorb · engross · recreation · pastime · leisure · performance · spectacle · theater
laugh
Express amusement vocally
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- funnyProvoking laughter or suspicion
wit · jest · quip · banter · gag · punchline · satire · parody · hilarity · slapstick
entertain
Amuse or host
distract · absorb · engross · recreation · pastime · leisure · performance · spectacle · theater · show
delight
Intense pleasure or satisfaction
enjoyment · joy · happiness · gladden · cheer · gratify · satisfy · thrill · enchant · charm
playful
Inclined toward fun
- whimsicalPlayfully fanciful or erratic
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
frolic · romp · impish · jovial · jocular · merry · blithe · frisky · caper · gambol
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
- digressionsdigression, tangent, aside, sidetrack, detour
- encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
- revelryrevelry, revel, festivity, festivities, celebration
- Social Talkchat, talk, converse, discuss, banter
- amusement parkRecreational attraction complex
- amusement ridesMotorized entertainment vehicles
- amusement arcadeVenue with coin-op games
- mildly amusing
- amuse boucheBite-sized chef's gift
- amusing anecdotesBrief humorous accounts
amusing, amusement, amused, amuses, amusingly, amusements, unamusing, unamused