A muse is someone or something that inspires creative work. The word comes from Greek mythology, where the Muses were nine goddesses who inspired artists, writers, and musicians. When a painter says a beautiful landscape was her muse, she means it sparked her imagination and helped her create. When a composer finds his muse in the sounds of a busy city, those noises inspire melodies in his mind.

Artists throughout history have had muses: people, places, or experiences that make their creative ideas flow. Beethoven found inspiration in nature during long walks. The author Roald Dahl kept a private writing hut that became a kind of muse for him. Your own muse might be a favorite book that makes you want to write stories, or a teacher whose enthusiasm makes you excited about science.

As a verb, to muse means to think deeply about something, often in a dreamy or curious way. You might muse about what life was like in ancient Rome, or muse over a tricky chess problem. When you're musing, you're letting your mind wander through interesting ideas without rushing to conclusions. The word suggests thoughtful, pleasant contemplation rather than anxious or stressed thinking.