The word entertaiment is derived from the Latin inter tenere, meaning “to hold inside.” Entertainment has evolved into a complex concept that caters to different emotional states, intellectual interests, and cultural contexts. It can be as intimate as a private concert adapted for two, or as public as a mass gathering such as a political event or religious festival.
Some entertainments stimulate a full range of emotions, from laughter to tears; this cathartic effect can be psychologically healing. Others entertain through cerebral engagement, favoring puzzles, documentaries, or video games that require strategic thinking. Still, others seek entertainment that is shared with family and friends, whether through a child’s cartoon, a raucous comedy show, or a multiplayer video game.