Meaning

(obsolete) Doubt; conjecture..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete) Doubt; conjecture.
2. (archaic) To suppose, imagine; to think, believe.
3. (dated) To expect, hope or wish.
4. (Northern England, Scotland, rare) To weep or cry.
5. (obsolete) To lament.
6. Misspelling of wean.
7. (slang) wiener dog, dachshund
8. (slang) penis

Example Sentences

And when they will fight they will shock them together in a plump; that if there be 20000 men, men shall not ween that there be scant 10000.

And right as Arthur was on horseback there came a damosel from Morgan le Fay, and brought unto Sir Arthur a sword like unto Excalibur, and the scabbard, and said unto Arthur, Morgan le Fay sendeth here your sword for great love. And he thanked her, and weened it had been so, but she was false, for the sword and the scabbard were counterfeit, and brittle, and false.

Then sayde Peter unto hym: Perissh thou and thy money togedder. For thou wenest that the gyfte of god maye be obteyned with money?

Wise men in old time would ween themselves fools; Fools now in new time will ween themselves wise.

… for I ween he will no longer suffer him to abide among the adulterous and wicked Generation of this World.

But neither heat, nor frost, nor thunder, Shall wholly do away, I ween, The marks of that which once hath been.

And that junior partnership, I ween, Was the only ship that I ever had seen.

Yet humble second shall be first, I ween

Word Forms

• weens
• weening
• weened
• wende
• wente
• wend
• went

Related Words

When Should You Use Ween?

Use ween when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions