/ əˈmjuːz; NAmE / verb
1.
to make sb laugh or smile :
[ vn ]
My funny drawings amused the kids.
This will amuse you.
[ vn to inf ]
It amused him to think that they were probably talking about him at that very moment.
2.
[ vn ] to make time pass pleasantly for sb/yourself
SYN entertain :
She suggested several ideas to help Laura amuse the twins.
I'm sure I'll be able to amuse myself for a few hours.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (in the sense delude, deceive ): from Old French amuser entertain, deceive, from a- (expressing causal effect) + muser stare stupidly. Current senses date from the mid 17th cent.