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Which one to use?Advancedadjetivoadjetivo
BemusedvsAmused
"Bemused" = confused, bewildered, perplexed (not entertained); "amused" = entertained, finding something funny or entertaining.
Side-by-side comparison
Bemused
adjetivo"Bemused" means confused or bewildered, not entertained. It is one of the most common vocabulary mistakes in written English. Do not confuse it with "amused".
The tourist looked completely bemused by the local custom of removing shoes before entering the restaurant.
He stared at the instructions with a bemused expression, unable to make sense of what they were asking him to do.
She was bemused by the sudden change of plans, nobody had explained why the meeting had been moved.
Amused
adjetivo"Amused" means something strikes you as funny or entertaining. It implies no confusion. If you smile because something entertains you, this is the right word.
The children's attempts to explain the internet to their grandmother left her amused and slightly overwhelmed.
He was clearly amused by the whole situation, the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward.
The audience was thoroughly amused by the comedian's deadpan delivery and perfectly timed pauses.
Common mistake
- •The classic error: using "bemused" when you mean "mildly entertained".
- •"Bemused" means confused or perplexed, not amused.
- •A "bemused smile" is the smile of someone who does not understand what is happening.
Trick to remember it
- •"Bemused" = your mind tries to think but gets blocked by confusion.
- •"Amused" = entertained, something is making you happy.
- •Two completely different facial expressions.
Quick rule
- •"Bemused" = confused, bewildered, perplexed.
- •"Amused" = entertained, delighted, finding something funny.
Did you know?
"Bemused" used as a synonym for "mildly amused" is so frequent that Merriam-Webster now includes the secondary definition "mildly entertained or confused" as an accepted colloquial use. However, the Oxford English Dictionary still insists that "bemused" means "perplexed". It is an ongoing case of semantic change: the confusion between the two words is so persistent that the "wrong" meaning is gaining ground, a common pattern in the evolution of English vocabulary.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
He stared at the instruction manual with a completely _____ look. None of it made sense.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The comedian's joke made everyone _____ . The whole room burst out laughing.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
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'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy