noun
muse
myooz
noun
1
A person or force that inspires an artist, writer, or other creative person.
"The old harbour town became a muse for the painter's entire final collection."
"She credits her grandmother as the muse behind her first novel."
2
In Greek mythology, one of nine goddesses who preside over the arts and sciences.
"Ancient poets often opened their work by calling on a Muse for inspiration."
verb
1
To think quietly and deeply about something; to ponder.
"He sat by the window, musing over the choices that had brought him here."
"She mused on what her life might have looked like abroad."
How to Use Muse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something/someone that sparks your creativity, or the quiet act of thinking deeply about something.
Common pairings
his muse
muse on something
muse aloud
Word Forms
mused past tense, muses plural, muses plural, muses plural, Muses plural, Musae plural, muses singular
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The old harbour town became a _____ for the painter's entire final collection.
Etymology
From Middle French muse, tracing back to Latin Musa and ultimately Ancient Greek Mousa, the word for one of the goddesses of the arts.