What does beguile mean?

Definitions for beguile
bɪˈgaɪlbe·guile

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word beguile.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. juggle, beguile, hoodwinkverb

    influence by slyness

  2. capture, enamour, trance, catch, becharm, enamor, captivate, beguile, charm, fascinate, bewitch, entrance, enchantverb

    attract; cause to be enamored

    "She captured all the men's hearts"

Wiktionary

  1. beguileverb

    To deceive or delude (using guile).

  2. beguileverb

    To charm, delight or captivate.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To Beguileverb

    Etymology: from be and guile.

    This I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Coloss. ii. 4.

    The serpent me beguil’d, and I did eat! John Milton, Paradise Lost, b. x.

    Whosoever sees a man, who would have beguiled, and imposed upon him, by making him believe a lie, he may truly say, that is the man who would have ruined me. South.

    Is wretchedness depriv’d that benefit,
    To end itself by death? ’Twas yet some comfort,
    When misery could beguile the tyrant’s rage,
    And frustrate his proud will. William Shakespeare, King Lear.

    With these sometimes she doth her time beguile;
    These do by fits her phantasy possess. John Davies.

    Sweet leave me here a while;
    My spirits grow dull, and fain I would beguile
    The tedious day with sleep. Hamlet.

Wikipedia

  1. beguile

    Deception or falsehood is an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda and sleight of hand as well as distraction, camouflage or concealment. There is also self-deception, as in bad faith. It can also be called, with varying subjective implications, beguilement, deceit, bluff, mystification, ruse, or subterfuge. Deception is a major relational transgression that often leads to feelings of betrayal and distrust between relational partners. Deception violates relational rules and is considered to be a negative violation of expectations. Most people expect friends, relational partners, and even strangers to be truthful most of the time. If people expected most conversations to be untruthful, talking and communicating with others would require distraction and misdirection to acquire reliable information. A significant amount of deception occurs between some romantic and relational partners.Deceit and dishonesty can also form grounds for civil litigation in tort, or contract law (where it is known as misrepresentation or fraudulent misrepresentation if deliberate), or give rise to criminal prosecution for fraud. It also forms a vital part of psychological warfare in denial and deception.

ChatGPT

  1. beguile

    Beguile generally means to charm or enchant someone in a deceptive way. It can also refer to the act of tricking or misleading someone, often by artful persuasion or clever manipulation.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Beguileverb

    to delude by guile, artifice, or craft; to deceive or impose on, as by a false statement; to lure

  2. Beguileverb

    to elude, or evade by craft; to foil

  3. Beguileverb

    to cause the time of to pass without notice; to relieve the tedium or weariness of; to while away; to divert

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Beguile

    be-gīl′, v.t. to cheat or deceive: to divert attention from anything tedious or painful: to divert or amuse: to wile any one into some course.—ns. Beguile′ment; Beguil′er.—adv. Beguil′ingly. [See Guile.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of beguile in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of beguile in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of beguile in a Sentence

  1. William Shakespeare:

    I am not merry but I do beguile The thing I am, by seeming otherwise.

  2. Giuseppe Mazzini:

    Without country you have neither name, token, voice, nor rights, no admission as brothers into the fellowship of the Peoples. You are the bastards of Humanity. Soldiers without a banner, Israelites among the nations, you will find neither faith nor protection; none will be sureties for you. Do not beguile yourselves with the hope of emancipation from unjust social conditions if you do not first conquer a Country for yourselves.

  3. Clarence Darrow:

    Liberty is the most jealous and exacting mistress that can beguile the soul and brain of man.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

beguile#100000#145095#333333

Translations for beguile

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • لهىArabic
  • embetumarCatalan, Valencian
  • in die Irre führen, verführen, irreführen, betören, irreleitenGerman
  • διασκεδάGreek
  • encanto engañador, encanto secretivo, engañar, cautivar, seducir, encanto ocultoSpanish
  • meeldivalt mööda saatma, peibutamaEstonian
  • ravir, induire en erreur, emporter, exalter, tromper, duperFrench
  • distogliere, turlupinare, ingannare, sedurre, incantareItalian
  • לְהַשְׁלוֹתHebrew
  • 속이다Korean
  • whakakonukaMāori
  • verrukken, misleiden, vervoeren, bedriegenDutch
  • distrair, encantar, entreterPortuguese
  • captiva, ademeni, fermeca, încânta, înșela, amăgiRomanian
  • очаровывать, обманыватьRussian
  • 吸引Chinese

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"beguile." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 16 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/beguile>.

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    »
    used of men; markedly masculine in appearance or manner
    A eloquent
    B elusive
    C eminent
    D butch

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