amused
amused — adjective
1. having or showing a slight smile because you find a person, situation, or remark
having or showing a slight smile because you find a person, situation, or remark funny without actually laughing out loud.
Mei wore an amused smile as her cat batted at the falling leaves.
collocation: amused smile / amused look
The teacher seemed mildly amused by Diego's wild excuse for being late.
amused by + noun for the source of amusement
Grandpa watched the puppy chase its tail with an amused expression on his face.
When asked about the rumor, the singer gave the reporters an amused glance.
The Queen was reportedly not amused by the comedian's joke about her hat.
- entertained
broader; can describe being kept busy as well as finding something funny
- tickled
informal; suggests a quiet, private delight at something funny
文法句型
amused by/at + noun
用法筆記
Often appears before nouns like smile, look, glance, expression, tone. The phrase 'not amused' is a fixed expression used for clear disapproval, often with a formal or ironic tone.
常見錯誤
2. kept happily busy with something fun or interesting so that you do not feel bore
kept happily busy with something fun or interesting so that you do not feel bored, especially while waiting or spending time alone.
A box of crayons kept the children amused during the long flight to Tokyo.
pattern: keep + someone + amused
Lucas was easily amused with a stack of picture books and a juice box.
amused with + noun for what entertains you
The clown tried to keep the kids amused while their parents finished dinner.
Aunt Priya kept herself amused by knitting a scarf during the snowstorm.
- entertained
very close in meaning; slightly more formal and broader
- occupied
focuses on being busy, with less emphasis on enjoyment
文法句型
keep someone amused
amused with + noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person being entertained, while the means of entertainment follows 'with' or 'by'. Most often appears in the pattern 'keep someone amused', frequently about children or guests.