What Is Entertaiment?

Entertaiment, from Latin intertenere (“to hold inside”), is a versatile concept that has been shaped by cultural shifts and cross-media adaptation. This collection is notable for its ability to span different forms, from the intimacy of a private entertainment — like choosing a movie for two — to performances that can be enjoyed by thousands of people at once, such as theater, sports, and concerts. Click on a collocation below to see more examples of the word in context.

What is a form of entertainment for one person may be considered work or an act of cruelty by another. This is particularly true of erotic entertainment, which has varied in interpretation over time.