English vocabulary · C1
Beguile
/bɪˈɡaɪl/ · v.
It means to charm someone so much that they stop thinking clearly. You feel good, but you are being tricked.
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Example sentences
- Her soft voice beguiled the whole crowd.
- He was beguiled by her kind smile.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- be — make (from Old English)
- guile — trick (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- CHARM — attract with warmth (Warm & Positive)
- ENCHANT — put under a spell (Magical & Dreamy)
- DECEIVE — make someone believe a lie (Cold & Dishonest)
Words with the same root
guile — trick
- guile — clever tricks to fool others
- guileless — honest, with no tricks
- guileful — full of clever tricks
Lesson notes
Beguile. It means to charm someone so much that they stop thinking clearly. You feel good, but you are being tricked.
Similar words are charm, enchant, and deceive. Use beguile when someone uses charm to trick you.
Her soft voice beguiled the whole crowd. He was beguiled by her kind smile.
From Old English. Be- means make. Guile- means trick. Make someone fall for a trick — that is beguile.