noun
Common
begging
BEH-gihng
Begging (noun) means the act of asking others for money, food, or help. Example: “Begging for change outside the station is how he survived that winter.”
noun
1
The act of asking others for money, food, or help.
"Begging for change outside the station is how he survived that winter."
"The charity helps people who are forced into begging to get by."
"Begging is illegal in some parts of the city."
How to use begging
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe activity of pleading or asking for something, especially money.
Common pairings
begging for money
go begging
begging on the streets
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Word forms
- Plural
- beggings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ for change outside the station is how he survived that winter.
Etymology
From Middle English begging, beggyng, beggynge, equivalent to beg + -ing (gerund ending).
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for begging
See all rhymes for begging →Frequently asked questions
What does “begging” mean?
The word “begging” means the act of asking others for money, food, or help. In plain terms, the activity of pleading or asking for something, especially money.
How do you pronounce “begging”?
“Begging” is pronounced BEH-gihng (/ˈbɛɡɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “begging” in a sentence?
Here is “begging” used in a sentence: “Begging is illegal in some parts of the city.”
What part of speech is “begging”?
“Begging” is a noun.
Is “begging” a common word?
“Begging” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between begging and pleading?
Begging is the act of asking others for money, food, or help, often persistently and from a position of need. Pleading is making an earnest, emotional appeal and does not necessarily involve asking for material things — you can plead a case or plead for mercy without asking for money.
Is begging always about money?
No. Begging is the act of asking others for money, food, or help, so it covers appeals for assistance of any kind. Someone can be begging for forgiveness, attention, or a second chance without money being involved at all.
What is the difference between begging and borrowing?
Begging is asking others to give you money, food, or help with no expectation of returning it. Borrowing means taking something temporarily on the understanding that it will be given back or repaid.
