Beg: meaning, definitions and examples

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beg

 

[ beษก ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

ask for something

To ask someone for something, especially money or food, because you are poor or have no home.

Synonyms

beseech, implore, plead.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beg

Used in everyday situations to ask for something urgently or earnestly, often with a sense of desperation. It is the most general term among the synonyms.

  • He begged for forgiveness after realizing his mistake.
  • She begged her parents to let her go to the concert.
plead

Used to make an emotional appeal, often in situations involving legal contexts or where one is trying to persuade someone. It can also be used more generally for sincere requests.

  • She pleaded with the judge for leniency.
  • He pleaded for help when he saw the accident.
implore

Used to make an earnest or desperate appeal. This word often conveys a deep sense of urgency, often more intense and emotional than 'beg'.

  • He implored the doctors to save his child's life.
  • She implored him to reconsider his decision.
beseech

Used in formal or literary contexts to ask someone urgently and fervently to do something. It carries a tone of sincere pleading and is often used for emotional or respectful requests.

  • She beseeched him to stay, fearing for his safety.
  • I beseech you, answer me truthfully.

Examples of usage

  • He begged for food on the streets.
  • She begged him for money to buy medicine.
Context #2 | Verb

ask earnestly or humbly for something

To ask someone to give you something, especially in an anxious way because you want or need it very much.

Synonyms

beseech, implore, plead.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beg

Used in everyday situations when someone urgently asks for something, often out of desperation or great need.

  • I beg you to help me.
  • He begged for forgiveness.
plead

Commonly used in legal or formal situations, or when someone is making a serious and emotional request.

  • She pleaded for her child's safety.
  • The lawyer pleaded with the judge for leniency.
implore

Often used when someone is making a heartfelt and emotional plea, expressing deep emotion or distress.

  • I implore you to listen to my side of the story.
  • They implored him to stay.
beseech

Used in more formal or literary contexts, indicating a sincere and earnest request.

  • I beseech you to reconsider your decision.
  • She beseeched the king for clemency.

Examples of usage

  • I begged him to come and help us.
  • She begged for forgiveness for her mistake.
Context #3 | Noun

request

A formal or polite way of asking for something.

Synonyms

appeal, plea, request.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
beg

This word is used when someone is asking for something desperately or with great urgency. It often carries a sense of humility or desperation and can have a negative connotation.

  • She begged him to stay
  • The homeless man begged for spare change
request

This word is appropriate for polite and formal situations where someone is asking for something in a respectful and non-urgent manner. It can be used in both spoken and written communication.

  • He requested a day off from work
  • Please send your requests by email
appeal

Use this word when making a formal request or asking for support, sympathy, or a change in decision. It often implies a more structured or official tone.

  • The charity appealed to the public for donations
  • He appealed to the court for a lighter sentence

Examples of usage

  • He made a humble beg for their assistance.
  • She sent a beg for more time to complete the project.

Translations

Translations of the word "beg" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น comeรงar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเฅเคฐเฅ‚ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช beginnen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mulai

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั‡ะธะฝะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zaczฤ…ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅง‹ใ‚ใ‚‹ (hajimeru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท commencer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ empezar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท baลŸlamak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‹œ์ž‘ํ•˜๋‹ค (sijak hada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠุจุฏุฃ (yabda')

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zaฤรญt

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zaฤaลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅผ€ๅง‹ (kฤishว)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaฤeti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ byrja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐัั‚ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒฌแƒงแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ (datsqeba)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ baลŸlamaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ empezar

Etymology

The word 'beg' originated from the Old English word 'bรฉgon', which means 'to ask earnestly'. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass both the act of asking for something humbly and the act of asking for charity or help due to poverty. The concept of begging has been prevalent throughout history, with various social and cultural implications. In modern times, begging is often associated with homelessness and poverty, prompting debates on social welfare and assistance programs.

See also: beggar, begging.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,686, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.