Entertaiment is a large and diverse category, encompassing any activity or event that provides pleasure. It can range from a single private entertainment chosen from the now huge variety of pre-recorded products; to a dinner adapted for two; to an elaborate banquet for many; to a musical concert for thousands. The word derives from the medieval Latin intertenere, which meant ‘to hold inside’. It has also been influenced by the Old French entretenir, which similarly means ‘to keep together’. Click on the collocation buttons to see more examples.

See also: entertainment, entertainment news. This page was last updated on 19 November 2008, and is maintained by Jonathan Platt.