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beg

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verb American English pronunciation: beg /beɡ/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theybeg
he/she/itbegs
present participlebegging
past tensebegged
past participlebegged
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to ask for help, an opportunity, etc. in a way that shows you want it very much

    "Don't go!" he begged.

    beg someone (not) to do something:

    She had written a letter begging him to come back.

    We begged her for another chance.

    beg to do something:

    I begged to be allowed to join them.

    beg (someone) for something:

    The boy was screaming and begging for mercy.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of beg
    1. a.
      [intransitive] to ask for something in a way that shows you are not proud

      Yes, I do want him to give me the job, but I refuse to beg!

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of beg
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to ask people for money or food, usually because you are very poor

    homeless people begging on the streets

    beg for:

    The boys went from door to door begging for money.

    beg something from someone:

    He would beg food from other children at school.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of beg

phrases

phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of beg. View British English definition of beg.

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