WordGarden.iobeguile
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bɪɡˈaɪl/
US
- /bɪˈɡaɪl/
Meanings
Verb
to charm or captivate someone, often with a misleading edge
to make time pass pleasantly
Beyond the definition
To beguile someone is to charm or delight them, often while subtly deceiving them. Think of a mischievous sprite luring travelers off course with enchanting songs—that's beguiling! It is not necessarily malicious; sometimes it is just playful trickery. A beautiful sunset might beguile you into forgetting your worries for a moment, or a clever salesperson might beguile you into buying something you don't need. The word carries a sense of sweetness mixed with deception.
You may also encounter the phrase "to beguile the time." This refers to passing the time pleasantly or distracting oneself so that the hours seem to slip by faster. Shakespeare frequently used "beguile" to describe how appearances can be deceiving or how one might use charm to mask their true intentions.
Imagine an old sailor telling fantastical tales—stories so captivating they draw you in, making you forget the mundane world around you. That's the power of beguile. It means to charm or enchant someone, often through the skillful use of language or appearance, but with a hint of deception woven within.
Beguile isn't about outright lying; it's more subtle than that. It suggests leading someone astray not by force, but by appealing to their desires or vulnerabilities. A skilled con artist might beguile their victims with promises of easy riches. A beautiful melody can beguile you into a peaceful state, masking underlying anxieties.
The word is rooted in the Middle English "beguilen," which combined the intensifying prefix be- with the Old French word guile, meaning "deceit." It often implies a playful or harmless intent, but it can also suggest cold manipulation. You might say a politician beguiled voters with empty promises, or that a captivating novel beguiled you into staying up all night reading.
Historically, beguile was common in the context of "spending time pleasantly," as in "to beguile the hours." While this usage is less common in casual speech today, it hints at the word's core meaning: to captivate and distract, whether with truth or illusion. So, if something beguiles you, be aware—it's likely enchanting… and perhaps a little bit tricky!
Examples
- 1
Travel charm
The old city beguiled us with its narrow streets and hidden gardens.
- 2
Election
At first, the candidate's warm manner beguiled even skeptical voters.
- 3
Tricked by charm
He was beguiled into lending her money without asking many questions.
- Patternbeguile someone into doing something
charm or trick them so they do it
- 4
Passing time
On the long voyage home, she beguiled the hours by reading detective novels.
- Phrasebeguile the hours
make time pass pleasantly
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- beguileverb
Forms
- beguiling-ing formverb
- beguiledpast tenseverb
- beguilesverb