What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Entertain vs Inform - What's the difference?

entertain | inform |

In transitive terms the difference between entertain and inform

is that entertain is to receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind while inform is to give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).

As a noun entertain

is entertainment; pleasure.

As an adjective inform is

without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.

entertain

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably.
  • to entertain friends with lively conversation
    The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience.
  • (transitive, and, intransitive) To have someone over at one's home for a party or visit.
  • They enjoy entertaining a lot.
  • * Bible, Heb. xiii. 2
  • Be not forgetful to entertain strangers
  • To receive and take into consideration; to have a thought in mind.
  • The committee would like to entertain the idea of reducing the budget figures.
    to entertain a proposal
  • * De Quincey
  • I am not here going to entertain so large a theme as the philosophy of Locke.
  • * Hawthorne
  • A rumour gained ground, — and, however absurd, was entertained by some very sensible people.
  • (obsolete) To take or keep in one's service; to maintain; to support; to harbour; to keep.
  • * Shakespeare
  • You, sir, I entertain for one of my hundred.
  • (obsolete) To meet or encounter, as an enemy.
  • (Shakespeare)
  • (obsolete) To lead on; to bring along; to introduce.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • to baptize all nations, and entertain them into the services and institutions of the holy Jesus

    Derived terms

    * entertainer * entertaining * entertainment

    Noun

    (-)
  • (obsolete) ; pleasure.
  • (obsolete) Reception of a guest; welcome.
  • * 1596 , (Edmund Spenser), The Faerie Queene , IV.8:
  • But neede, that answers not to all requests, / Bad them not looke for better entertayne […].

    Anagrams

    *

    inform

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) informen, enformen, from (etyl) enformer, .

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (obsolete)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
  • To communicate knowledge to.
  • * Spenser
  • For he would learn their business secretly, / And then inform his master hastily.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
  • To impart information or knowledge.
  • To act as an informer; denounce.
  • To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-07, author=(Gary Younge)
  • , volume=188, issue=26, page=18, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution , passage=WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets.}}
  • * Dryden
  • Let others better mould the running mass / Of metals, and inform the breathing brass.
  • * Prior
  • Breath informs this fleeting frame.
  • (obsolete) To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
  • (obsolete) To direct, guide.
  • (archaic) To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
  • * Shakespeare
  • It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.
    Synonyms
    * acquaint, apprise, notify * (act as informer) dob, name names, peach, snitch
    Derived terms
    * informant * information * informative * informatory * informed * informer * misinform * uninformed

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) (lena) informis

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
  • (Cotton)

    Anagrams

    *