Entertaiment is a broad word that means any amusement, distraction or diversion. It usually involves a performance, whether it’s the clown at your kid’s birthday party, a Broadway show or a stadium rock concert. It can also be a book or movie, video game, puzzle or activity like solving the daily crossword. The word comes from the French word entretenir, which originally had to do with hospitality and keeping guests entertained. One of the most famous examples is Scheherazade, a tale from Persian professional storytelling tradition about a woman who tells stories to keep her husband from killing her. You might see the word shortened to entmt on a flier or in industry news publications where space is limited.
