What is Entertaiment?

Entertaiment is a form of recreation that includes all things that give pleasure and enjoyment. It is an activity that can take many forms, including reading novels, short stories, or poetry for enrichment; watching movies and plays; playing sports and games; and creating or appreciating visual art. It can also involve attending live performance such as dance, comedy, or musical shows. It can be anything that evokes an emotional response, such as laughter or joy. It can also be a serious activity, such as a religious festival or a political satire.

What is considered entertainment can change over time and across different cultures. It is often based on themes that the human brain was evolved to react to deeply, such as backstabbing, murder, and other social themes. It can be adapted to any scale, from a single person who enjoys personal entertainment in the form of books, music, or movies; to a party for a group of people; and to performances intended for thousands.

The word entertainment is derived from the Latin inter-tenere, a combination of the prefix inter meaning “inside” and the suffix tenere, which means to hold. It is a common suffix for verb stems in Latin, as well as in French (amazement, betterment, merriment).