amused

IPA/əˈmjuːzd/
KK[əmjˈuzd]IPA/əˈmjuːzd/

amused — adjective

  • amusedpositive
  • more amusedcomparative
  • most amusedsuperlative

1. having or showing a slight smile because you find a person, situation, or remark

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

having or showing a slight smile because you find a person, situation, or remark funny without actually laughing out loud.

Example

Mei wore an amused smile as her cat batted at the falling leaves.

collocation: amused smile / amused look

The teacher seemed mildly amused by Diego's wild excuse for being late.

amused by + noun for the source of amusement

Common collocations
  • amused smile
  • amused look
  • amused expression
  • mildly amused
  • not amused
  • amused by
  • amused at
Synonyms
  • entertained

    broader; can describe being kept busy as well as finding something funny

  • tickled

    informal; suggests a quiet, private delight at something funny

Antonyms
  • annoyed

    shows the opposite reaction to a joke or odd remark

  • bored

    indicates no interest or pleasure at all

Grammar Patterns

amused by/at + noun

Usage Note

Often appears before nouns like smile, look, glance, expression, tone. The phrase 'not amused' is a fixed expression used for clear disapproval, often with a formal or ironic tone.

Common Mistakes

I am amused with the joke.
I am amused by the joke.
use 'by' or 'at' for the source of amusement, not 'with'.

2. kept happily busy with something fun or interesting so that you do not feel bore

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

kept happily busy with something fun or interesting so that you do not feel bored, especially while waiting or spending time alone.

Example

A box of crayons kept the children amused during the long flight to Tokyo.

pattern: keep + someone + amused

Lucas was easily amused with a stack of picture books and a juice box.

amused with + noun for what entertains you

Common collocations
  • keep someone amused
  • easily amused
  • amused with
  • amused by
Synonyms
  • entertained

    very close in meaning; slightly more formal and broader

  • occupied

    focuses on being busy, with less emphasis on enjoyment

Antonyms
  • bored

    the typical opposite — no interesting activity to fill the time

  • restless

    unable to stay still because nothing is holding the attention

Grammar Patterns

keep someone amused

amused with + noun

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person being entertained, while the means of entertainment follows 'with' or 'by'. Most often appears in the pattern 'keep someone amused', frequently about children or guests.

Common Mistakes

The toys amused the baby for hours.
The toys kept the baby amused for hours.
as an adjective, 'amused' typically follows 'keep' or a linking verb, not used as a direct verb here.
Idioms

keep somebody amused

idiom

To provide someone with enjoyable activities so they do not get bored.

The magician kept the children amused with his tricks.

Did the puzzle keep you amused during the flight?

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four describe a positive reaction, but they differ in intensity and source. 'Amused' is the quietest — it suggests a small smile rather than a loud laugh, and the trigger is usually something funny or odd. 'Entertained' is broader: you can be entertained by a long film, a magic show, or even a busy afternoon, with no humour required. 'Tickled' is informal and personal, suggesting a private delight at something cute or unexpected, as in 'I was tickled when she remembered my birthday.' 'Delighted' is the strongest and warmest — it shows clear pleasure, often at good news or kindness, as in 'Grandma was delighted by the homemade card.'

amused ↗entertained ↗tickled ↗delighted ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • keep someone amused
  • not amused
  • an amused smile
  • look amused
  • sound amused

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle FrenchEnglish

'Amused' is the past participle of the verb 'amuse', which entered English from Middle French 'amuser' meaning to make someone stare or distract. The original sense was about diverting someone's attention rather than making them laugh. The modern meaning of finding something funny developed gradually in English from the late 1600s, as the word shifted from 'distract' toward 'pleasantly entertain'.