beguile
/bɪˈɡaɪl/
Group 31Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To charm or enchant, sometimes in a deceptive way; to delude GRE
Example in Context
The con artist beguiled his victims with a disarming smile and elaborate stories that seemed too detailed to be fabricated.
Synonyms
charmenchantmislead
Etymology
To enchant someone with a touch of deceit.
- be- (Old English) — about
- guile (Old French) — deceit
Memory Aid
🎩Sounds like “be guileful”
A magician with a top hat BEGUILES the audience, pulling rabbits out while they’re totally deceived!
Visual Association
✨A charming magician dazzling an audience with tricks, capturing their attention and trust!
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “beguile” mean on the GRE?
beguile (verb) means “To charm or enchant, sometimes in a deceptive way; to delude”. The con artist beguiled his victims with a disarming smile and elaborate stories that seemed too detailed to be fabricated.
How to remember “beguile” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “beguile” sounds like “be guileful”. A magician with a top hat BEGUILES the audience, pulling rabbits out while they’re totally deceived!
What are synonyms for “beguile”?
Common synonyms: charm, enchant, mislead.