Skip to the word

Added 30 September 2026

beguile

/bɪˈɡaɪl/ verb

In Latin: decipio Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about beguile at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To deceive or delude (using guile).
To charm, delight or captivate.
I will never touch The Orb, even though its mysterious glow seduces and beguiles.
To cause (time) to seem to pass quickly, by way of pleasant diversion.
We beguiled the hours away.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word