Definition of BEGUILED (original) (raw)
1
: hoodwink
beguiled her classmates into doing the work for her
2
: to engage the interest of by or as if by guile
His seductive voice beguiled the audience.
4
: to while away especially by some agreeable occupation
also : divert sense 2
The seven poems were written to beguile the tedium of a sea voyage. —
Vernon Louis Parrington
Did you know?
A number of English words have traveled a rather curious path from meanings related to deception or trickery to something less unwelcome. A prime example is beguile, which first appeared in English around the 13th century with the meaning “to lead or draw by deception.” For the next several centuries, most of the senses of the verb had to do, in one manner or another, with deceiving. Around the time of Shakespeare, however, a more appealing sense charmed its way into the English language and hasn’t left since: “to attract or interest someone,” or in other words, “to charm.” Nowadays, you’re just as likely to hear beguile applied to someone who woos an audience with charisma, as to a wily trickster who hoodwinks others to get their way.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for beguile
deceive, mislead, delude, beguile mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness.
deceive implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness.
tried to deceive me about the cost
mislead implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional.
I was misled by the confusing sign
delude implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth.
we were deluded into thinking we were safe
beguile stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving.
was beguiled by false promises
Examples of beguile in a Sentence
She was cunning enough to beguile her classmates into doing the work for her. They were beguiled into thinking they'd heard the whole story. Almost everything in the quaint little town beguiles, from its architecture to its art to its people. He beguiled the audience with his smooth and seductive voice.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This six day, five-night tour is an incredible way to see and experience this beguiling island destination, while staying in some Madeira’s most elegant resorts along the way. —Michelle Gross, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Argento’s galvanizing picture remains a masterclass in harnessing the power of image and music to beguile an audience. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 15 Sep. 2024 Over the centuries, the fantastical beast has reportedly been sighted on several occasions — beguiling locals. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 While the home’s dramatic views and monumental forms beguiled visitors, Keeler, who had lived there since its completion, especially liked details like the silky redwood surfaces. —Sam Lubell, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for beguile 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English bigilen, beguilen, from bi-, be- be- + gile guile or gilen "to deceive, cheat," borrowed from Old French guiler, derivative of guile
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of beguile was in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near beguile
Cite this Entry
“Beguile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beguile. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 3 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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