9 Everyday Words That Everybody Is Using Completely Wrong
6. Bemused
What People Think It Means: Amused What It Actually Means: Puzzled, confused or bewildered Its pretty clear where this confusion stems from: bemused is a less common word than amused, so when people see it for the first time, they simply assume from the fact that its very similar in sound to amused that it also must be similar in meaning. Unfortunately, if English were this easy or straightforward, I wouldnt have been able to compile even half of this list. Because of this common and very warranted confusion, a different meaning to bemused is creeping into dictionaries, including Merriam-Websters, which lists bemuse as to cause (someone) to be confused and often also somewhat amused. Its no wonder were all so bemused about being bemused.
Canadian student. Spends probably an unhealthy amount of time enthusing over musicals, unpopular TV shows, and Harry Potter. Main life goal: to become fluent in Elvish.
