What does befool mean?
Befool is a verb meaning to deceive or trick someone — to make a person out to be a fool, whether through lies, flattery, or manipulation. Formed with the prefix be- attached to the noun fool, it belongs to a family of English verbs that convert nouns into actions, much as becloud means to cover with cloud. The word is literary in register and now somewhat rare, appearing chiefly in older prose, classic fiction, and deliberately formal or archaic styles. It can also carry a second sense: to treat or ridicule someone so that they appear foolish before others. Because it implies intentional deception, befool contrasts with words describing honest mistakes; its victim has been actively misled. Writers reach for it when they want a slightly elevated, almost theatrical flavor that plainer synonyms like deceive or trick do not provide.
To deceive, trick, or make a fool of someone.
"The con artist befooled half the town with his fake investment scheme."
Literary and somewhat archaic; more common in historical texts than everyday speech.
To subject someone to ridicule so that they appear foolish.
"The courtiers befooled the naive young heir at every opportunity."
Befool is built the way many old English verbs are — take 'fool', bolt on 'be-', and you get a verb that literally means 'to make someone into a fool.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of befool
Befool was formed in English during the early modern period from the noun fool combined with the prefix be-, which turns nouns into verbs (compare becloud and besmirch). The underlying noun fool comes from Old French fol, from Latin follis, meaning a bellows or windbag — hence an empty-headed person. It shares this Latin ancestry with folly, foolish, and the archaic sense of fond.
How befool is actually used
Befool is literary and somewhat dated; it appears most often in older texts and formal writing. It carries a negative connotation, implying deliberate deception rather than innocent error.
Easily confused with befool
Befool means to deceive or make a fool of someone, while befoul means to make something dirty or foul.