verb · B1

Beg

BEG/beɡ/

When you beg, you ask in a desperate or emotional way: beg for help; beg someone to stay; I beg your pardon. Plead is a close formal twin; ask is the everyday, calmer verb. Beg for + noun; beg someone to + verb. Beggar is the person noun (use it carefully). Do not use beg for an ordinary polite request in an email — that is ask or would you mind.

Meaning

To ask for something in a desperate or emotional way (beg for).

Examples

“He begged for another chance to take the exam.”
“She begged the panel to look at her work again.”
“I beg your pardon — I thought this seat was free.”

Good to know

beg for + noun. beg someone to + verb. Polite set phrase: I beg your pardon. Everyday: ask. Formal: plead.

Near in meaning

plead

New