beguin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, dated, formal.
Quick answer
What does “beguin” mean?
A short-lived, intense infatuation or passing romantic fancy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short-lived, intense infatuation or passing romantic fancy.
A transient or casual love affair, often implying superficiality or a fleeting emotional attachment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and literary in both varieties. No significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Connotes a light, charming, and ephemeral romance, not a deep or tragic love. It is quaint and somewhat whimsical.
Frequency
Extremely infrequent in contemporary language; found primarily in older literature and poetry.
Grammar
How to Use “beguin” in a Sentence
to have a beguin for someoneVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beguin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was beguined by the dashing officer for a season.
American English
- He found himself beguined by his new neighbor for a few weeks.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her beguinely, but his interest faded.
American English
- She spoke beguinely of her temporary admirer.
adjective
British English
- Her beguin feelings were noted in her diary.
American English
- It was a beguin affair, soon forgotten.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, might appear in literary or historical analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beguin”
- Confusing it with 'begin'. Using it in modern contexts sounds unnatural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and literary. You will rarely encounter it outside of older texts or very formal, stylized writing.
It comes from French 'béguin', meaning 'bonnet' or 'hood', and by extension, a 'child's bonnet', leading to the figurative sense of a 'childish' or fleeting infatuation.
Yes, but it is exceedingly rare. The verbal form 'to be beguined' means to be the object of such a fleeting fancy.
A 'crush' is a common modern term for a strong but often temporary infatuation. 'Beguin' is its more literary, old-fashioned, and specifically transient counterpart, often implying a slightly more refined or artistic context.
A short-lived, intense infatuation or passing romantic fancy.
Beguin is usually literary, dated, formal. in register.
Beguin: in British English it is pronounced /bɛˈɡiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɛˈɡin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a mere beguin”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BEGUIN sounds like 'begin' - it's a love affair that *begins* but doesn't last.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROMANCE IS A BRIEF JOURNEY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'beguin'?