bewray: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Obsolete/ArchaicLiterary/Archaic
Quick answer
What does “bewray” mean?
To unintentionally or accidentally reveal or betray (a secret, feeling, or someone's true character).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To unintentionally or accidentally reveal or betray (a secret, feeling, or someone's true character).
To expose, disclose, or make known something that was hidden, secret, or intended to be concealed; to be an indicator or sign of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference; the word is uniformly archaic in all English varieties.
Connotations
Carries a literary, old-fashioned, or Shakespearean connotation.
Frequency
Vanishingly rare in contemporary usage for both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “bewray” in a Sentence
[Subject] bewrays [Object (secret/feeling)][Subject] bewrays [Object (person)] by/through [means]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bewray” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- His posh accent might bewray his privileged upbringing.
- The suspect's nervous glance bewrayed his guilt to the detective.
American English
- The document's watermark bewrayed its fraudulent nature.
- Her blush bewrayed her true feelings for him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Might appear in historical or literary analysis texts discussing older English.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bewray”
- Using it in modern speech/writing; confusing it with 'berate' (to scold); using it to mean an intentional act of betrayal.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or literary word. You will encounter it in older texts like the King James Bible or works of Shakespeare, but it is not used in contemporary speech or writing.
Historically, they were more interchangeable. Today, 'betray' primarily means to be disloyal to someone intentionally. 'Bewray' specifically means to reveal something unintentionally, often through indirect evidence or signs.
It can be used for both. A person can bewray a secret, and an object or clue can bewray its origin or true nature (e.g., 'The dialect bewrayed his hometown').
For comprehension of historical and literary texts. Knowing it helps you understand the nuance in older writings and enriches your understanding of the evolution of English vocabulary.
To unintentionally or accidentally reveal or betray (a secret, feeling, or someone's true character).
Bewray is usually literary/archaic in register.
Bewray: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈreɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈreɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “His trembling hands bewrayed his fear.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Be aware' that you might BEWRAY a secret if you're not careful. 'Betray' is a close, more modern cousin.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND/BODY IS A CONTAINER (for secrets); LEAKAGE/ESCAPE IS REVELATION.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'bewray' in its core sense?