beguile

[ bih-gahyl ]

verb (used with object)

, be·guiled, be·guil·ing.

1. to influence by trickery, flattery, etc.; mislead; delude.

   Synonyms: cheat, deceive

2. to take away from by cheating or deceiving (usually followed by of ):

   to be beguiled of money.

3. to charm or divert:

   a multitude of attractions to beguile the tourist.

   Synonyms: entertain, amuse

4. to pass (time) pleasantly:

   beguiling the long afternoon with a good book.

beguile

/ bɪˈɡaɪl /

verb

1. to charm; fascinate
2. to delude; influence by slyness
3. often foll byof or out of to deprive (someone) of something by trickery; cheat (someone) of
4. to pass pleasantly; while away

Derived Forms

• beˈguilement, noun
• beˈguiler, noun

Other Words From

• be·guilement noun
• be·guiler noun
• unbe·guiled adjective
• unbe·guiling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beguile¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, beguile is from the Middle English word bigilen. See be-, guile

Example Sentences

His campaign would like to mitigate that by allowing him to beguile a few women with his suave charm.

From Salon

A seductive dance in a see-through embroidered shirt, crimson ruff and gold leather belt allows George to beguile the king.

From Los Angeles Times

The young man’s muscles are rippling, his hair artfully mussed, his gaze troubled but beguiling.

From New York Times

It’s an idea that always beguiles but never delivers.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes, that anything-could-happen approach is beguiling: Midway through the Cannes press screening, a spotlight shone on a man in the front of the theater who asked questions that Driver’s Caesar would answer onscreen.

From New York Times

Related Words

• amuse
• engross
• entertain
• entice
• rizz up
• seduce
• tickle

More About Beguile

What does beguile mean?

Beguile means to mislead through trickery or flattery, or to deceive someone in order to swindle them out of something.

Beguile can also mean to charm in a good way—you can be beguiled by an interesting person or a book that really captures your imagination, for example. Someone or something that’s charming in such a way can be described as beguiling.

All senses of the word can imply a sense of magic or enchantment. There are several similar verbs that often have magical feel, such as charm, enchant, bewitch, enrapture, and enthrall.

Example: He beguiled his victims with a charm that left them unable to see the deception that was taking place.

Where does beguile come from?

The first records of beguile in English come from around 1200. It comes from the Middle English word bigilen. It’s based on the word guile, which can mean “cleverness,” “craftiness,” or “deceptiveness.” The prefix be- is used to form verbs and in this case means “to affect completely or excessively” (it’s found in words like bewitch and bedazzle).

If you have been beguiled by someone, it means you have fallen under their charm. When used this way, the term often implies that their hold on you is like some kind of magic. Whether it’s good magic or bad magic depends on what their motives are. Sometimes, they’re pure, and the experience is enchanting. Other times, the beguiler’s intentions are evil, and they are trying to trick you into doing something. Con artists and swindlers beguile. If you have been beguiled of something, it means it has been taken from you through some form of deception.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to beguile?

• beguiling (adjective)
• beguiler (noun)
• beguilement (noun)
• unbeguiled (adjective)

What are some synonyms for beguile?

• charm
• enchant
• bewitch
• entrance
• enthrall
• deceive
• cheat
• seduce

What are some words that share a root or word element with beguile? 

 

• guile
• guileful
• guileless

What are some words that often get used in discussing beguile?

 

• charming
• intriguing
• sneaky
• money
• time

How is beguile used in real life?

Beguile is often used in a negative way to refer to the act of deceiving people. But it’s also commonly used to refer to a positive kind of charming.

Polly Toynbee wisdom: "Never be beguiled by false promises of simplicity, because people's circumstances don't come in one size".

— @JoeCushnan (Sometimes words can serve me well…) (@JoeCushnan) November 13, 2010

Happy bday writer/teacher Mary Ellen Chase, b.1887 in ME.

“It is quite possible to leave your home for a walk in the early morning air and return a different person – beguiled, enchanted.” “The greatest danger in any argument is real issues often are clouded by superficial ones”

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) February 24, 2020

love to be beguiled……….. hate to be befuddled

— Nick Robinson (@Babylonian) December 15, 2018

 

 

Try using beguile!

Which of the following terms is NOT a synonym for beguile?

A. cheat
B. mislead
C. charm
D. disgust