About this article
Entertainment is a way of amusing ourselves, and it can range from something simple and intimate, such as choosing a private entertainment from an ever-growing variety of pre-recorded products; to large events, such as performances intended for thousands. Entertainment is often based on humor and fun, although it may have a serious purpose or context, such as a ritual, a religious festival, or satire. It also encompasses visual arts and sports, and it can take many forms. The word derives from the Medieval Latin intertenere, a compound of inter, meaning “inside,” and tenere, from the Indo-European root for stretch or extend.