beguile: meaning, pronunciation and examples

/bɪˈɡaɪl/·bih-GILE

Beguile (verb) means to charm or attract someone, sometimes in a way that deceives them.

What does “beguile” mean?

  1. 1

    verbto charm or attract someone, sometimes in a way that deceives them

    Visitors are beguiled by the island’s beauty.
  2. 2

    verbto trick someone into doing something

    He beguiled investors into giving him their savings.

Beguile at a glance

Part of speech
verb
CEFR level
C2 (proficient)
Pronunciation
/bɪˈɡaɪl/ · bih-GILE

How to use “beguile” correctly

The adjective “beguiling” is usually positive (charming), while the verb can suggest deception.

Common phrases with “beguile”

  • beguile sb into doing sth
  • a beguiling smile

Synonyms (similar meaning)

  • charm
  • enchant
  • deceive

Word family

  • beguiling
  • beguilingly

“beguile” is on these word lists

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