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.

My heart misgive me—I would't a done it.

From The Old Homestead by Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)

Upon this they all listened; and Gan felt his heart misgive him.

From Stories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 1 by Dante Alighieri

I did tell Berry he'd better stay an' du what Marse Sykes wanted him ter, 'stead of comin' tu der meetin', an' my mind misgive me all day kase he didn't.

From Bricks Without Straw by Tourgée, Albion Winegar

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

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