Amusement is the feeling of enjoyment you get from something entertaining or funny. When you watch a clever magic trick, ride a roller coaster, or see a character slip on a banana peel in a cartoon, that pleasant, entertained feeling is amusement.

The word comes from an old French term meaning “to cause to stare” or “to divert attention,” and that's still part of what amusement does: it captures your attention in an enjoyable way. An amusement park offers rides, games, and attractions designed to entertain visitors. When something amuses you, it holds your interest and makes you smile or laugh.

Amusement can be quiet, like the gentle pleasure of solving a riddle, or loud and exciting, like the thrill of a water slide. You might find amusement in a comic book, a clever joke, or watching squirrels chase each other around a tree.

Notice that amusement suggests lightness and pleasure. When teachers create amusing lessons, they make learning enjoyable. When someone watches your efforts with amusement, they're entertained by what you're doing, though sometimes in a way that suggests they find it charmingly silly rather than impressive.