Words / A2

uh-MYOOZ-ing/əˈmjuːzɪŋ/

Amusing means gently funny: an amusing film, an amusing mistake, hardly amusing. Funny can be stronger. Amazing means surprising and impressive. Amusing is not the same as musing (thinking). Do not write amusing when you mean amazing, or amusing vs a musing.

Meaning

Funny in a gentle way; entertaining.

Examples

• “He told an amusing story about missing the ferry.”
• “He told an amusing story about the wrong suitcase.”
• “The children’s menu has an amusing map of the zoo.”

Good to know

an amusing story / film. Stronger cousin: funny. Mix-up: amazing.

Near in meaning

funny

New