tr.v. be·guiled, be·guil·ing, be·guiles 1. To deceive by guile or charm: beguiled unwary investors. 2. To deprive (someone) of something by guile or deceit; cheat: a disease that has beguiled me of strength. 3. To distract the attention of; divert: "to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming" (Abraham Lincoln). 4. To amuse or charm; delight or fascinate. See Synonyms at charm. 5. To pass (time) pleasantly. [Middle English bigilen : bi-, be- + gilen, to deceive; see GUILE.] be·guilement n. be·guiler n. be·guiling·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.