amusement

amusement — noun

1. the happy, often laughing reaction you have when something strikes you as funny

1.名詞B2
釋義

the happy, often laughing reaction you have when something strikes you as funny or enjoyable to watch.

例句

Mr. Patel watched his puppy chase its tail with great amusement.

with + amusement: describes the manner of an action

To Kofi's amusement, the cat fell asleep inside her shopping bag.

to + possessive + amusement: introduces a funny outcome

同義詞
  • enjoyment

    broader pleasure, not necessarily linked to humour

  • mirth

    literary; suggests open laughter

  • delight

    stronger, brighter happiness; less tied to something funny

反義詞
  • annoyance

    irritated reaction instead of a humorous one

  • boredom

    lack of any entertained feeling

文法句型

to one's amusement

with amusement

in amusement

用法筆記

Often appears in fixed prepositional phrases ('to my amusement', 'with amusement', 'in amusement'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is the inner feeling, not the outside thing causing it.

常見錯誤

❌I felt a big amusement.
✅I felt great amusement.
💡this sense is uncountable, so use 'much / great / some', not 'a / an' or plurals.

2. a game, ride, or activity that people do to fill their free time and have fun, e

2.名詞B2
釋義

a game, ride, or activity that people do to fill their free time and have fun, especially at a fair, park, or seaside resort.

例句

Brighton Pier offers cheap amusements for families on rainy weekends.

plural noun: a set of fun activities at one location

The biggest amusement at the summer fair was a giant red water slide.

countable singular: one specific activity

同義詞
  • pastime

    a regular hobby; less tied to a venue

  • diversion

    more formal; emphasises taking your mind off something

  • attraction

    specifically a place or ride people travel to see

反義詞
  • chore

    a duty done without pleasure

文法句型

amusements at/in [place]

popular amusement

用法筆記

Usually plural ('amusements') when referring to a collection of rides or games at a venue. Often pre-modified by a place ('seaside amusements', 'pier amusements'). Distinguish from sense 1, which names the feeling rather than the object.

常見錯誤

❌There were many amusement at the park.
✅There were many amusements at the park.
💡this sense is countable, so add '-s' for more than one.