bemuse

/bɪˈmjuːz/

//bɪˈmjuːz// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"bemuse" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“bemuse” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a verb - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
6
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To confuse or bewilder.

Key facts for bemuse
PropertyValue
Headwordbemuse
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/bɪˈmjuːz/
Letters6
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “bemuse” sits in English frequency

bemuse falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for bemuse is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /bɪˈmjuːz/. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

bemuse doesn't appear in our generated misspelling index, since its letter sequence doesn't invite the usual edit-distance slips. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, suggesting its spelling stands apart enough that readers rarely confuse it with something else.

Etymologically, the entry records: From be- + muse. In meaning, influenced by bemaze and later amuse. The correct English form is bemuse, spelled B-E-M-U-S-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To confuse or bewilder.
  2. 2
    To be amused, especially sardonically.
  3. 3
    To devote to the Muses.
  4. 4
    To make drunk; to intoxicate.

Etymology

From be- + muse. In meaning, influenced by bemaze and later amuse.

This word in other languages

desconcertar(Español)déconcerter(Français)verwirren(Deutsch)confuso(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "bemuse"?
"bemuse" is spelled B-E-M-U-S-E. The IPA pronunciation is /bɪˈmjuːz/.
What does "bemuse" mean?
As a verb, "bemuse" means: To confuse or bewilder.
How do you pronounce "bemuse"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "bemuse" is /bɪˈmjuːz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "bemuse"?
From be- + muse. In meaning, influenced by bemaze and later amuse. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “bemuse”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is B-E-M-U-S-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /bɪˈmjuːz/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list