guest

¹ American  

[gest] / gɛst /

noun

1. a person who spends some time at another person's home in some social activity, as a visit, dinner, or party.

   Synonyms:

   company

2. a person who receives the hospitality of a club, a city, or the like.

3. a person who patronizes a hotel, restaurant, etc., for the lodging, food, or entertainment it provides.

4. an often well-known person invited to participate or perform in a regular program, series, etc., as a substitute for a regular member or as a special attraction.

5. Zoology. an inquiline.

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verb (used with object)

1. to entertain as a guest.

verb (used without object)

1. to be a guest; make an appearance as a guest.

   She's been guesting on all the TV talk shows.

adjective

1. provided for or done by a guest.

   a guest towel; a guest column for a newspaper.

2. participating or performing as a guest.

   a guest conductor.

Guest ² American  

[gest] / gɛst /

noun

1. Edgar A(lbert), 1881–1959, U.S. journalist and writer of verse, born in England.

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guest British  

/ ɡɛst /

noun

1. a person who is entertained, taken out to eat, etc, and paid for by another

2. 1. a person who receives hospitality at the home of another

      a weekend guest

   2. ( as modifier )

      the guest room

3. 1. a person who receives the hospitality of a government, establishment, or organization

   2. ( as modifier )

      a guest speaker

4. 1. an actor, contestant, entertainer, etc, taking part as a visitor in a programme in which there are also regular participants

   2. ( as modifier )

      a guest appearance

5. a patron of a hotel, boarding house, restaurant, etc

6. zoology a nontechnical name for inquiline

7. informal do as you like

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verb

1. (intr) (in theatre and broadcasting) to be a guest

   to guest on a show

guest Idioms  

1. see be my guest.

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Related Words

See visitor.

Other Word Forms

• guestless adjective

Etymology

Origin of guest

First recorded before 900; Middle English gest, from Old Norse gestr; replacing Old English gi(e)st; cognate with German Gast, Gothic gasts, Latin hostis; host ¹, host ²

Example Sentences

This “measure allows us to continue operating our sailings while maintaining the quality of service and experience our guests expect,” the company said.

From MarketWatch

Before filming his first episode, Cudi binged several podcasts and tapped people like writer, producer and actor Lena Waithe, whose guidance helped him navigate hosting and connect authentically with his guests.

From Los Angeles Times

It even had a guest book to sign.

From The Wall Street Journal

Green, in a guest column for SI.com, said the notion that current officials are anything but de facto full-time employees is a myth — even though most hold down other careers while continuing to work NFL games.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2026, the menu and guest list will look different but the Queen's message back then will resonate this time around too.

From BBC

Related Words

• caller
• client
• companion
• customer
• inmate
• patron
• recipient
• tenant
• vacationer
• visitor