English · Word Candidate

muse

/mjuːz/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: muses · musing · mused

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of a person: a source of inspiration.

Noun

Examples

Yoko Ono was John Lennon's wife, lover, and muse.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To become lost in thought, to ponder.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To say (something) with due consideration or thought.

Verb

Examples

When I asked about her affinity for playing self-obsessed artists, O’Hara mused: “Maybe I’m just trying to get it out of my system. I’m so afraid to be like that.”

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

An act of musing; a period of thoughtfulness.

Noun

Examples

still he sate long time astonished / As in great muse, ne word to creature spake.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “muse” mean?

Of a person: a source of inspiration.

Is “muse” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.