English Explanatory Dictionary

beguile

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To deceive or delude (using guile).
  2. To charm, delight or captivate.
  3. To cause (time) to seem to pass quickly, by way of pleasant diversion.

Pronunciation

/bɪˈɡaɪl/ en-GB-beguile.ogg

Word forms

beguile beguiles beguiling beguiled begyle bigyle bi-gyle

Etymology

From Middle English begilen, begylen; equivalent to be- + guile. Compare Middle Dutch begilen (“to beguile”). Doublet of bewile.

Related words

wile

Derived words

beguilable beguilement beguiler beguiling unbeguile
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