What is entertaining? Pronunciation and usage in English

entertaining means . Learn how to pronounce and use entertaining through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of entertaining

entertainingadjective

/ˌɛntəˈteɪnɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of entertaining

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "entertaining." It's a bit tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "entertaining" is actually made up of three syllables:

  • en- (like "hen")
  • ter- (like "terrier")
  • tain-ing (this is the trickiest part)

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • en: Pronounced like the word "hen." Short "e" sound.
  • ter: Pronounced like "terrifier." Emphasis on the “ter” part.
  • tain: This is the key. It sounds like "tin" (as in a can), followed by “ay” (as in “day”). So, it’s “tin-ay.”
  • ing: Pronounced as you would expect – "ing" as in "sing."

3. Putting it Together - The Full Word:

en-ter-tin-ing

Tips for Accuracy:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable ("ter"). You want that part to be louder and longer.
  • The "tin-ay" sound: Really focus on getting that "tin-ay" combination correct. Many people stumble here.
  • Smooth Transition: Try to link the syllables smoothly together. Don't say each syllable in isolation.

Resources to Listen:

  • Google Translate: Type "entertaining" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. This is a good starting point.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%E2%80%9Cantertaining%E2%80%9D/ This website has pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce entertaining" on YouTube - you'll find lots of helpful videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using "entertaining"?

Usage and examples with the word entertaining in English

Let's break down how to use the word "entertaining" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding those nuances is key.

1. As an Adjective (Describing something that provides amusement):

  • Most Common Usage: This is the most frequent way to use "entertaining." It means enjoyable, interesting, or amusing.

    • Example: “That was an entertaining movie – I laughed throughout!”
    • Example: “She’s a very entertaining storyteller.”
    • Example: “We had an entertaining evening playing board games.”
    • Synonyms: enjoyable, amusing, fun, diverting, engaging, stimulating.

2. As a Verb (To provide amusement or distraction):

  • Meaning: This means to amuse, divert, or occupy someone's time.

    • Example: “My dad entertains the kids with magic tricks.”
    • Example: “Let’s entertain ourselves with a good book.”
    • Example: “The circus entertains thousands of people every night.”
    • Synonyms: amuse, divert, occupy, distract, delight.

3. As a Noun (A person who provides entertainment):

  • Meaning: This refers to someone who performs or provides entertainment, like an entertainer, performer, or host.

    • Example: “The comedian was a very entertaining act.”
    • Example: “The cruise ship had many entertaining onboard shows.”

Here's a breakdown of how to use it in different contexts with examples:

  • Describing a person: “He’s such an entertaining conversationalist; you could talk to him for hours.”
  • Describing an event: “The party was incredibly entertaining – there was music, games, and delicious food.”
  • Describing an activity: “Reading that historical novel was a very entertaining way to pass the time.”
  • Describing a performance: “The theater put on an entertaining production of Hamlet.”

Tips for using “entertaining” correctly:

  • Consider the context: Is it describing a person, an event, or an activity? This will help you choose the right usage.
  • Use it with adjectives: Often, you'll want to add a descriptive adjective to “entertaining” to make it more specific (e.g., “a highly entertaining performance,” “an entertaining group of friends”).
  • Don’t overuse it: Like any adjective, "entertaining" can become repetitive if you use it too frequently.

Resources for further learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking about using "entertaining" in? (e.g., writing a story, speaking conversationally, describing something you saw?)

Synonyms for the word entertaining

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