guv

[ guhv ]

noun

, Chiefly British Informal.

1. term of address used to a man, especially by a younger man, boy, employee, or social inferior.
2. governor ( def 6 ).

guv

/ ɡʌv; ˈɡʌvnə /

noun

1. an informal name for governor

Word History and Origins

Origin of guv¹

First recorded in 1850–55; by shortening and respelling

Example Sentences

"As a kid, I was used to watching these wonderful black-and-white films with my nana - 'Cor blimey, guv’na, let’s push through the war'," Graham joked, adopting an exaggerated Cockney accent.

From BBC

This government is trying to stave that off for as long as possible by shouting from the rooftops: “It’s not us, guv!”

From BBC

Lord Arbuthnot continues: "Since the government owned the Post Office, I had assumed they would be in a position to sort it out - but they were saying ‘no, not me guv’."

From BBC

And you look at all those innocent people strolling around the world looking so healthy and fit and happy and you think: 'You don't know guv, what's coming down the road.'

From BBC

The prime minister, who only arrived in parliament in 2015, really cannot do the "don't blame me guv routine" anymore, they argue.

From BBC