German word

unterhaltsam

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʊntɐhaltzaːm/

Meaning

  • adjectiveentertaining

Example

Wir hatten einen unterhaltsamen Abend.

We had an entertaining evening.

Illustration for unterhaltsam (entertaining)

More examples

Das unterhaltsame Gespräch dauerte Stunden.

The entertaining conversation lasted for hours.

Core concept

A film, story, or conversation that fills time with easy pleasure instead of boredom.

Common phrases

  • ein unterhaltsames Gespräch

    an entertaining conversation

  • ein unterhaltsames Ereignis

    an entertaining event

Similar words

lustig: Funny and light-hearted, bringing laughter and a cheerful mood.
spannend: Thrilling or suspenseful, making it hard to look away or lose interest.
interessant: Appealing because the topic or content naturally holds attention.
kurzweilig: Pleasantly absorbing, so that time passes without feeling slow.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet Dinge oder Ereignisse, die kurzweilige Freude bereiten.

Word origin

The adjective unterhaltsam derives from unterhalten and the adjective-forming suffix -sam, which expresses a characteristic quality or ability.

Usage tips

  • In the phrase ein unterhaltsamer Abend, the adjective has the masculine nominative ending -er after the indefinite article ein.

Other meanings

  • enjoyableadjective

Opposites

  • langweiligboringadjective
  • monotonmonotonousadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word