ENGLISH
REFERENCE

muse

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmjuz// UK //mjˈuːs// muse Archaic

n. a person or thing that gives an artist, writer, or musician new ideas. You might say someone is your muse if they inspire you to create something beautiful.

n. a person or personified force who serves as the source of inspiration for a creative artist. When capitalised, it refers to any of the nine Greek goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences.


SIMPLE

The painter's wife was his greatest muse.

CONTEXTUAL

The poet spent years traveling through the mountains, searching for a new muse to spark his imagination.

COMPLEX

While many artists find their muse in nature, others draw inspiration from the chaotic energy of urban life, finding beauty in the grit and noise of the modern city.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English Muse, from Latin Musa, from Ancient Greek Μοῦσα (Moûsa).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Shan မူႇၸေႊ (mùu tse᷈e).

Usage

Often used with the possessive ('my muse', 'his muse') or the preposition 'for'.

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