misgive

American

[mis-giv] / mɪsˈgɪv /

verb (used with object)

misgave, misgiven, misgiving

(of one's mind, heart, etc.) to give doubt or apprehension to.

verb (used without object)

misgave, misgiven, misgiving

to be apprehensive.

misgive British

/ mɪsˈɡɪv /

verb

to make or be apprehensive or suspicious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of misgive

First recorded in 1505–15; mis- ¹ + give

Vocabulary lists containing misgive

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Let us find Fleming and the baskets first,” I answered; for my mind began to misgive me about finding him as easily as we had expected.

From A Voyage round the World A book for boys by Kingston, William Henry Giles

"We may both have need for the exercise ere we depart hence, or my thoughts misgive me," replied Mortimer.

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John

Love is a matter of give and take—marriage, a matter of misgive and mistake.

From A Guide to Men Being Encore Reflections of a Bachelor Girl by Rowland, Helen

But nevertheless his heart did not misgive him.

From Orley Farm by Trollope, Anthony

This, together with some words from Richmond and the cheerfulness of Holland, makes my mind misgive me that we shall still have them created for the Committee.

From The Greville Memoirs A Journal of the Reigns of King George IV and King William IV, Vol. II by Reeve, Henry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023