Beguile
To deceive or mislead by charm; to enchant or attract, often with the intention to deceive; also to pass time pleasantly.
verbBeguile
To deceive or mislead by charm; to enchant or attract, often with the intention to deceive; also to pass time pleasantly.
verbImagine This
There was a charming but deceiving tourist guide who persuaded the tourists to pay the tips upfront, and she disappeared with the money shortly after.
Sounds Like
bih-GYL
Looks Like
Be guide
Remember This
Be- is a prefix meaning to cause to be, to surround, or to intensify. It appears in words like befriend, become, and beguile. The base word guile means deceit or cunning.
Other Forms
Connect With
Guile → Deceit; trickery; cunning
Note
Do not confuse beguile with beguine (a historical dance). Also note that beguile can carry a positive sense of charm, but the typical SAT usage emphasizes deception or trickery.
Study Deeper
- The magician beguiled the audience with his dazzling sleight of hand.
- The salesman tried to beguile customers with flashy promises, but the product failed to deliver.
From Middle English beguilen, formed with be- (a prefix meaning 'around' or 'thoroughly' or to cause to be) + guile (deceit). The noun guile derives from Old French guile, related to deceit; the combination historically means to cause someone to be deceived through charm.
Mnemonic: BE GUILE — imagine a bearded guide who uses guile to charm and distract you; the word literally shows 'be' + 'guile' (deceit).
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Finesse
noun and verbNoun: refined skill, tact, or diplomacy in handling a situation; Verb: to handle or achieve something with such skill or by clever, delicate maneuvering.
Fastidious
adjectiveVery particular about details; meticulous to the point of being hard to please.
Mediocre
adjectiveOf only average quality; not particularly good or bad; ordinary.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.