amusement
amusement
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for amusement is /əˈmjuːzmənt/.
/ə/ - The first syllable, "a-," is a schwa sound, like the "a" in about.
/ˈmjuːz/ - The second syllable, "-muse-," is the stressed syllable. It has a "m" sound, a "y" sound, a "u" sound (as in "flute"), and a "z" sound.
/mənt/ - The third syllable, "-ment," has a schwa sound and an "n" sound, followed by a "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
Amusement is primarily a noun, and its word form variations are limited. It does not have a common verb form (amuse is the verb), nor does it have an adjective form (amusing is the adjective).
Singular Noun: amusement
Plural Noun: amusements
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The state or experience of finding something funny or entertaining.
Synonyms: entertainment, fun, merriment, mirth, joy, pleasure, delight
Antonyms: boredom, tediousness, ennui, sadness, sorrow, displeasure
An activity or event that provides entertainment or enjoyment.
Synonyms: pastime, recreation, diversion, hobby, game, sport
Antonyms: chore, labor, work, duty, task
Examples of Use
Books
Book Title: The word is often used in the titles of books, particularly in the romance and thriller genres. For example, Albany Walker's book is titled Amusement (2021).
Literary Use: It frequently appears in literature to describe a character's state of mind, such as in this example from a work of fiction: "A look of cold amusement passed over her face as she watched the unspooling drama."
Newspapers & Online Publications
Industry News: The term is a core part of the vocabulary for publications covering the entertainment and attractions industry. Amusement Today is a monthly periodical that focuses on news about amusement parks, water parks, and carnivals.
Academic and General Commentary: In more serious contexts, the word can describe a cultural phenomenon. Neil Postman's influential book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, and the subsequent articles and discussions it has spawned, argues that modern public discourse has been transformed into a form of entertainment, eroding meaningful debate and critical thought.
Entertainment & Public Discourse
Theme Parks: The most direct and common use is in the term "amusement park," which describes a business that provides entertainment through rides, games, and other attractions.
Online and Social Media: The word is used to describe content that is intended purely for enjoyment or distraction. For example, a user might post a meme with a caption like, "This is for your amusement only," indicating that the content is lighthearted and not to be taken seriously.
General Conversation: In everyday language, people use "amusement" to describe a feeling of light-hearted enjoyment or entertainment. A person might say, "To my amusement, the cat was chasing its own tail for ten minutes straight." It can also be used in a more cynical way to describe finding a situation funny due to its absurdity, such as, "I watched the debate with great amusement."
10 Quotes Using Amusement
"I am a person of high amusement." (Socrates)
"Life is a great amusement." (Victor Hugo)
"The greatest amusement in life is to watch other people's mistakes." (Mark Twain)
"The amusement of the day will be forgotten tomorrow." (Proverb)
"The amusement of life is a brief affair." (Lord Byron)
"It is a thing of amusement to me that men should be so serious." (Plato)
"One of the greatest sources of amusement in life is to watch the follies of others." (William Hazlitt)
"All human amusement is a tragedy in disguise." (George Bernard Shaw)
"The amusement of a child is a divine thing." (Friedrich Froebel)
"The amusement of a wise man is not in sport, but in philosophy." (Aristotle)
Etymology
The word amusement comes from the Old French word amusement, which meant a distraction or a way of passing the time. This word, in turn, is derived from the Old French verb amuser, meaning "to make one think or dream."
The first known use of amusement in English was in the late 16th century. At that time, its primary meaning was "a distraction" or "a diversion," often with the implication of something that occupied the mind and kept it from being bored. Over time, the word's meaning evolved to its current sense of "the state of being entertained or finding something funny." The shift in meaning reflects a move from simply passing time to actively enjoying an activity.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Amusement
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "amusement":
For your amusement: This phrase is used to introduce something that is intended to be entertaining or humorous.
Amusement park: A permanent funfair with rides, attractions, and games.
Amusement arcade: A venue where people can play games, often with coin-operated machines.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of amusement from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
