# begging

/ˈbɛɡɪŋ/ (US) · /bˈɛɡɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/begging
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. asking for money/food

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. earnest pleading

noun · CEFR B2

the act of asking for something very strongly or emotionally.

For teachers: 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- It took months of persistent begging before the archives finally granted the researcher access to the restricted historical documents.

## Examples

- The city has new rules about begging in the subway.
- He survived for several months through a combination of begging and temporary shelter work.
- While some local governments have attempted to criminalise begging, social advocates argue that such measures fail to address the underlying systemic issues of poverty and housing instability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.