guy

¹

[ gahy ]

noun

1. Informal. a man or boy; fellow:

   He's a nice guy.

2. none guys, Informal. people, regardless of their gender:

   Could one of you guys help me with this?

3. Chiefly British Slang. a grotesquely dressed person.
4. Often Guy. British. a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes that is paraded through the streets and burned on Guy Fawkes Day.

verb (used with object)

, guyed, guy·ing.

1. to jeer at or make fun of; ridicule.

guy

²

[ gahy ]

noun

1. a rope, cable, or appliance used to guide and steady an object being hoisted or lowered, or to secure anything likely to shift its position.

verb (used with object)

, guyed, guy·ing.

1. to guide, steady, or secure with a guy or guys.

Guy

³

[ gahy; French gee ]

noun

1. a male given name: from a Germanic word meaning “woods.”

guy

¹

/ ɡaɪ /

noun

1. a rope, chain, wire, etc, for anchoring an object, such as a radio mast, in position or for steadying or guiding it while being hoisted or lowered

verb

1. tr to anchor, steady, or guide with a guy or guys

guy

²

/ ɡaɪ /

noun

1. informal.
   a man or youth
2. a crude effigy of Guy Fawkes, usually made of old clothes stuffed with straw or rags, that is burnt on top of a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Day
3. a person in shabby or ludicrously odd clothes
4. informal.
   plural persons of either sex

verb

1. tr to make fun of; ridicule

Guy

³

/ ɡaɪ /

noun

1. GuyBuddy1936MUSMUSIC: blues singerMUSIC: guitarist Buddy, real name George Guy. born 1936, US blues singer and guitarist

GUY

⁴

abbreviation for

1. Guyana (international car registration)

Word History and Origins

Origin of guy¹

First recorded in 1800–10; after Guy Fawkes

Origin of guy²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gi(e), from Old French guie “a guide,” derivative of guier to guide

Word History and Origins

Origin of guy¹

C14: probably from Low German; compare Dutch gei brail, geiblok pulley, Old French guie guide, from guier to guide

Origin of guy²

C19: short for Guy Fawkes

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give the guy to, British Slang. to escape from (someone); give (someone) the slip.

Example Sentences

Major Angier’s daughter Tabby, now 77, and his grandson Guy, stand to read excerpts of letters he wrote from the frontline.

From BBC

The Ray Guy Award, given to the best punter in college football, has been won by an Australian in eight of the past 11 years.

From BBC

“His mindset, his technique, his approach to the game. … Guys that always kind of find the ball. Real-deal football players.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some Arsenal fans made the trip to Milan a few days in advance including Guy McIntyre, who spent the night before on an Inter fan's floor.

From BBC

Crowds of people lined the streets of Lewes as the town’s bonfire societies marched with burning torches for Guy Fawkes Night.

From BBC

Related Words

• dude
• fellow
• lad
• man