Vocabulary in context
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Beguile
To deceive or mislead by charm; to enchant or attract, often with the intention to deceive; also to pass time pleasantly.
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Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
bih-GYL
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Looks Like
Be guide
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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.
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Other Forms
beguileverb
beguilesverb
beguiledverb
beguilingadjective
beguilinglyadverb
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Connect With
Guile → Deceit; trickery; cunning
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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.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- 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.
Synonyms
charmenchantdeludemisleadbewitch
Antonyms
revealunmaskdisenchant
Etymology
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
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.
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