Etymology Map
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Amuse

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means to make someone laugh or smile; to entertain

Where does the word "amuse" come from? It comes from Vulgar Latin muser, passing through Old French before entering English (1480s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
muser
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"to stare, ponder"
a Gallo-Roman word possibly from 'musum', muzzle, like a dog sniffing with its nose in the air
2
Stage 2 of 3
amuser
Old French · medieval
"to divert, delude"
meant to hold someone's attention in order to deceive them
3
Stage 3 of 3
amuse
English · 1480s
"to entertain"
the sense 'to deceive' faded, leaving 'to entertain' by the 1600s
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Read the full story

Amuse’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: muser meant “to stare, ponder.” A Gallo-Roman word possibly from 'musum', muzzle, like a dog sniffing with its nose in the air. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as amuser. Meant to hold someone's attention in order to deceive them. It reached English by 1480s as amuse. The sense 'to deceive' faded, leaving 'to entertain' by the 1600s. Today, amuse means to make someone laugh or smile; to entertain.