English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

begum

buh-GUHM

Begum (noun) means a title of respect for a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially in South Asia. Example: “The begum ruled the princely state with great skill.”

noun
1
A title of respect for a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially in South Asia.
"The begum ruled the princely state with great skill."

How to use begum

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA respectful title for a Muslim woman of high social standing, mainly in South Asia.

Word forms

begummed past tense, begums plural, Begums plural, Begums plural, begums singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “begum” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ ruled the princely state with great skill.

Etymology

Borrowed from Persian and Turkic languages into South Asian usage as a female honorific, roughly equivalent to "lady" or "madam" for women of rank.

Origin: Persian

Rhymes for begum

See all rhymes for begum →

Frequently asked questions

What does “begum” mean?

The word “begum” means a title of respect for a high-ranking Muslim woman, especially in South Asia. In plain terms, a respectful title for a Muslim woman of high social standing, mainly in South Asia.

How do you pronounce “begum”?

“Begum” is pronounced buh-GUHM (/bəˈɡʌm/ in IPA).

How do you use “begum” in a sentence?

Here is “begum” used in a sentence: “The begum ruled the princely state with great skill.”

What part of speech is “begum”?

“Begum” is a noun.

Where does the word “begum” come from?

The word “begum” comes from Persian. Borrowed from Persian and Turkic languages into South Asian usage as a female honorific, roughly equivalent to "lady" or "madam" for women of rank.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial