English Reference

Word

begging

Phoneticsbeg·ging, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈbɛɡɪŋ/

UK/bˈɛɡɪŋ/

Definitions

01asking for money/food

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the act of asking strangers for money or food in the street because you have none.

n. the practice of soliciting money, food, or other charity from others, typically in public spaces.

“The city has seen an increase in begging outside the main train station.”

“Local authorities implemented new social programmes aimed at reducing street begging by providing more accessible shelter and mental health support.”

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun to describe the social phenomenon.

Synonyms

solicitingpanhandling

02earnest pleading

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the act of asking for something very strongly or emotionally.

n. the act of making an intense, humble, or emotional plea for a favour, mercy, or information.

“Despite her constant begging, her parents refused to let her go to the party.”

“It took months of persistent begging before the archives finally granted the researcher access to the restricted historical documents.”

Synonyms

pleadingentreatyimploring

Etymology

From Middle English begging, beggyng, beggynge, equivalent to beg + -ing (gerund ending).

From Middle English beggin, beggyn, beggyng, (also beggand), present participle of beggen (“to beg”), equivalent to beg + -ing (participle ending).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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