amuse

/əˈmjuːz/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈmjuːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈmyüz/ (ame, mw)

amuse — verb

1. to cause someone to smile or laugh, usually because something is funny, witty, o

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to cause someone to smile or laugh, usually because something is funny, witty, or unexpected.

例句

Viraj's silly impression of the cat amused everyone at the dinner table.

amuse + somebody for causing laughter

Xander told a joke about his old car that amused the whole class.

同義詞
  • entertain

    broader; can mean perform for an audience as well as cause laughter

  • tickle

    informal; suggests gentle, private amusement

  • crack up

    very informal; means to make someone laugh suddenly and loudly

反義詞
  • bore

    to make someone feel tired and uninterested

  • annoy

    to cause irritation rather than laughter

文法句型

amuse + somebody

be amused by + something

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'be/get amused by/at something'. The negative phrase 'not amused' often signals polite anger rather than simple lack of laughter.

常見錯誤

❌The joke amused.
✅The joke amused us.
💡'amuse' needs a direct object naming the person who laughs.
❌I am amusing with this book.
✅I am amused by this book.
💡the person feeling it uses 'amused'; the thing causing it uses 'amusing'.

2. to give someone pleasant things to do so that they do not get bored, usually jus

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to give someone pleasant things to do so that they do not get bored, usually just for a brief while.

例句

Citlali brought crayons and paper to amuse the children during the long flight.

amuse + somebody for keeping them occupied

The hotel offers board games and puzzles to amuse guests on rainy afternoons.

同義詞
  • occupy

    neutral; focuses on filling time without the pleasant nuance

  • entertain

    broader; can mean a planned show or simply keeping someone busy

  • divert

    more formal; suggests turning attention from something dull

反義詞
  • bore

    to leave someone with nothing interesting to do

文法句型

amuse + somebody

amuse oneself + by/with + -ing

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about filling time pleasantly, not about causing laughter. The reflexive form 'amuse oneself' is very common here but unusual in sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌The kids amused at the park.
✅The kids amused themselves at the park.
💡when no one else is entertaining them, use the reflexive 'amuse oneself'.