verb
beget
bee-GEHT
Beget (verb) means to father a child, or more broadly, to be the cause or origin of something. Example: “Violence often begets more violence.”
verb
1
To father a child, or more broadly, to be the cause or origin of something.
"Violence often begets more violence."
"In old genealogies, kings were said to beget sons who would inherit the throne."
How to use beget
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cause something to exist or happen, or (in old usage) to father a child.
When to use it
Fairly formal or literary today, apart from the common saying "X begets Y."
Common pairings
beget a child
violence begets violence
success begets success
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- begets
- Past tense
- begot, begat, begotten
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Violence often _____ more violence.
Etymology
From Old English beġietan ("to get"), from a Germanic root meaning to find or seize; the be- prefix intensifies the plain verb "get."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “beget” mean?
The word “beget” means to father a child, or more broadly, to be the cause or origin of something. In plain terms, to cause something to exist or happen, or (in old usage) to father a child.
How do you pronounce “beget”?
“Beget” is pronounced bee-GEHT (/biˈɡɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “beget” in a sentence?
Here is “beget” used in a sentence: “Violence often begets more violence.”
What part of speech is “beget”?
“Beget” is a verb.
Where does the word “beget” come from?
The word “beget” comes from Old English. From Old English beġietan ("to get"), from a Germanic root meaning to find or seize; the be- prefix intensifies the plain verb "get.".
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