beg
BEHG
Beg (verb) means to ask urgently for something, often money, food, or a favor. Example: “The little boy begged his mother for just one more biscuit.”
verb
1
To ask urgently for something, often money, food, or a favor.
"The little boy begged his mother for just one more biscuit."
"The homeless man begged for spare change outside the station."
"She begged her boss for one more day to finish the report."
2
To plead earnestly with someone, especially to be forgiven or spared.
"She begged him not to tell anyone what she had done."
"Please don't leave me here alone, he begged, his voice shaking."
"He begged the judge for leniency."
How to use beg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo ask for something urgently, often out of need or desperation.
Common mistake
"Beg the question" in strict usage means to assume the very thing you're trying to prove — not simply "to raise the question," though that looser meaning is now very common in everyday speech.
Common pairings
beg for mercy
beg forgiveness
beg to differ
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Word forms
- Plural
- begs
- Third person singular
- begs
- Past tense
- begged
Etymology
Comes from Middle English beggen, a word of murky origin possibly connected to Old English roots meaning "to petition" or "to pray" — ultimately related to the verb "bid."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “beg” mean?
The word “beg” means to ask urgently for something, often money, food, or a favor. In plain terms, to ask for something urgently, often out of need or desperation.
How do you pronounce “beg”?
“Beg” is pronounced BEHG (/ˈbɛɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beg” in a sentence?
Here is “beg” used in a sentence: “The homeless man begged for spare change outside the station.”
What is another word for “beg”?
Words with a similar meaning to “beg” include beseech, entreat and sue.
What part of speech is “beg”?
“Beg” is a verb.
Where does the word “beg” come from?
The word “beg” comes from Old English. Comes from Middle English beggen, a word of murky origin possibly connected to Old English roots meaning "to petition" or "to pray" — ultimately related to the verb "bid.".
Is “beg” a common word?
“Beg” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “beg” have?
“Beg” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to ask urgently for something, often money, food, or a favor.
Is it wrong to use "begs the question" to mean "raises the question"?
Traditionally, to beg the question is to commit a logical fallacy: assuming the very conclusion you are supposed to be proving. In everyday modern use the phrase has come to mean "raises the obvious question," a sense so widespread that most dictionaries now record it, though careful writers still avoid it in formal argument.
What is the difference between beg and plead?
Both involve asking urgently, but plead emphasizes an earnest, often emotional appeal and has a separate legal sense (to plead guilty), while beg emphasizes urgent asking from a position of need — including asking strangers for money or food. Beg can also sound more desperate or humble than plead.
Is "I beg your pardon" formal or informal?
"I beg your pardon" sits at the formal, polite end of the spectrum. Depending on tone, it can be a courteous apology, a request for someone to repeat what they said, or — delivered sharply — an expression of offense.
What does the phrase "beg to differ" imply?
"I beg to differ" is a polite, slightly formal way of saying "I disagree." The beg here preserves an old courteous use meaning "to ask permission," so the phrase literally asks leave to hold a different opinion.
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