bemused
[ bih-myoozd ]
/ bɪˈmyuzd /
adjective
bewildered or confused: a bemused expression on his face.
lost in thought; preoccupied.
mildly amused, especially in a detached way.
usage note for bemused
See
bemuse.
OTHER WORDS FROM bemused
be·mus·ed·ly [bih-myoo-zid-lee] /bɪˈmyu zɪd li/, adverb un·be·mused, adjectiveWords nearby bemused
bemire,
bemoan,
bemock,
bemuddle,
bemuse,
bemused,
ben,
ben bella,
ben day process,
ben hur,
ben lomond
Definition for bemused (2 of 2)
bemuse
[ bih-myooz ]
/ bɪˈmyuz /
verb (used with object), be·mused, be·mus·ing.
to bewilder or confuse.
to preoccupy; engross.
to cause to be mildly amused, especially in a detached way: Apparently bemused by his critics, he floated above the clamor surrounding the campaign.
usage note for bemuse
The verb
bemuse (usually as the adjective
bemused ) is similar in sound to
amuse , and has in fact taken on the meaning "to cause to be mildly amused." Many usage experts and traditionalists consider this a misuse of
bemuse , pointing out that its proper meaning is “to bewilder or confuse.” However, the history and use of
bemuse has shown that its meaning is often ambiguous. It's often the case that one's feelings are a combination of bewilderment and amusement:
Their customs bemuse most Americans. Even when it clearly means "to bewilder or confuse,"
bemuse usually retains a lighthearted tone: one would not typically say:
I was bemused by his motive for the murder.
OTHER WORDS FROM bemuse
be·muse·ment, nounExample sentences from the Web for bemused
British Dictionary definitions for bemused (1 of 2)
bemused
/ (bɪˈmjuːzd) /
adjective
preoccupied; lost in thought
Derived forms of bemused
bemusedly (bɪˈmjuːzɪdlɪ), adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for bemused (2 of 2)
bemuse
/ (bɪˈmjuːz) /
verb
(tr)
to confuse; bewilder