amuse
amuse — 動詞
1. to cause someone to smile or laugh, usually because something is funny, witty, o
逗樂；逗笑
讓人發笑或感到好玩
to cause someone to smile or laugh, usually because something is funny, witty, or unexpected.
Viraj's silly impression of the cat amused everyone at the dinner table.
Viraj 模仿那隻貓的滑稽動作，逗樂了餐桌上每一個人。
amuse + somebody for causing laughter
Xander told a joke about his old car that amused the whole class.
Xander 講了一個關於他那台老車的笑話，把全班逗得哈哈大笑。
The children were amused by the clown's red shoes and big nose.
孩子們被小丑的紅鞋子和大鼻子逗得很開心。
It amused Grandma to see the puppy chase its own tail around the kitchen.
看到小狗在廚房裡追自己的尾巴，讓奶奶覺得很有趣。
Theo was not amused when his brother poured cold water on his head.
當弟弟把冷水倒在他頭上時，Theo 一點也不覺得好笑。
文法句型
amuse + somebody
be amused by + something
用法筆記
Frequently passive: 'be/get amused by/at something'. The negative phrase 'not amused' often signals polite anger rather than simple lack of laughter.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone pleasant things to do so that they do not get bored, usually jus
消遣；打發
讓人有事可做、不無聊
to give someone pleasant things to do so that they do not get bored, usually just for a brief while.
Citlali brought crayons and paper to amuse the children during the long flight.
Citlali 帶了蠟筆和紙，好讓孩子們在長途飛行中有事可做。
amuse + somebody for keeping them occupied
The hotel offers board games and puzzles to amuse guests on rainy afternoons.
這間飯店提供桌遊和拼圖，讓客人在下雨的午後有得消遣。
While Dad cooked dinner, the twins amused themselves by building a fort with cushions.
爸爸煮晚餐時，雙胞胎用抱枕堆城堡自己玩得很開心。
Grandpa amused the baby with a wooden spoon and an empty pot for nearly an hour.
爺爺用一根木湯匙和一個空鍋子，逗著寶寶玩了將近一個小時。
- bore
to leave someone with nothing interesting to do
文法句型
amuse + somebody
amuse oneself + by/with + -ing
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about filling time pleasantly, not about causing laughter. The reflexive form 'amuse oneself' is very common here but unusual in sense 1.