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.

The look on Bimal's face made my mind misgive me.

From The Home and the World by Tagore, Rabindranath

“Did not your mind misgive you yet?” asks Eubolus.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen

I thought it mighty curus, and my mind misgive me thar was somethin' crooked; but I always pintedly dodges; 'lie-lows to ketch meddlers,' and I went on my way.

From At the Mercy of Tiberius by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)

Dreadfully did my heart then misgive me: I was ready to faint.

From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 6 by Richardson, Samuel

So that when I heard his heavy footstep advancing along the passage my heart did misgive me, and I felt that I was trembling.

From Relics of General Chasse by Trollope, Anthony

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