muse

\ ˈmyüz

mused; musing

Definition of muse

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : to become absorbed in thought especially : to think about something carefully and thoroughly musing about what might have been

2 archaic : wonder, marvel

transitive verb

: to think or say (something) in a thoughtful way "I could sell the house," she mused, "but where would I go?"

muse

noun (1)

Definition of muse (Entry 2 of 3)

: a state of deep thought or dreamy abstraction thrown into a muse by the book she was reading

muse

noun (2)

Definition of muse (Entry 3 of 3)

1 capitalized : any of the nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences Clio is the Greek Muse of history.

2 : a source of inspiration especially : a guiding genius The writer's beloved wife was his muse.

3 : poet

Other Words from muse Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about muse

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Choose the Right Synonym for muse

Verb

ponder, meditate, muse, ruminate mean to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. ponder implies a careful weighing of a problem or, often, prolonged inconclusive thinking about a matter. pondered the course of action meditate implies a definite focusing of one's thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply. meditated on the meaning of life muse suggests a more or less focused daydreaming as in remembrance. mused upon childhood joys ruminate implies going over the same matter in one's thoughts again and again but suggests little of either purposive thinking or rapt absorption. ruminated on past disappointments

Did You Know?

The Muses were the nine Greek goddesses who presided over the arts (including music) and literature. A shrine to the Muses was called in Latin a museum. An artist or poet about to begin work would call on his particular Muse to inspire him, and a poem itself might begin with such a call; thus, Homer's Odyssey begins, "Sing to me of the man, Muse" (that is, of Odysseus). Today a muse may be one's special creative spirit, but some artists and writers have also chosen living human beings to serve as their muses.