guide

[ gahyd ]

verb (used with object)

, guid·ed, guid·ing.

1. to assist (a person) to travel through, or reach a destination in, an unfamiliar area, as by accompanying or giving directions to the person:

   He guided us through the forest.

   Synonyms: escort, steer, pilot

   Antonyms: follow

2. to accompany (a sightseer) to show points of interest and to explain their meaning or significance.
3. to force (a person, object, or animal) to move in a certain path.
4. to supply (a person) with advice or counsel, as in practical or spiritual affairs.
5. to supervise (someone's actions or affairs) in an advisory capacity.

   Synonyms: rule, govern, manage, regulate

noun

1. a person who guides, especially one hired to guide travelers, tourists, hunters, etc.

   Synonyms: conductor, director, pilot

2. a mark, tab, or the like, to catch the eye and thus provide quick reference.

   Synonyms: clue, key, indication, signal, sign

3. a guidebook.
4. a book, pamphlet, etc., giving information, instructions, or advice; handbook:

   an investment guide.

5. a guidepost.
6. a device that regulates or directs progressive motion or action:

   a sewing-machine guide.

7. a spirit believed to direct the utterances of a medium.
8. Military. a member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.

Guide

¹

/ ɡaɪd /

noun

1. sometimes not capital a member of an organization for girls equivalent to the Scouts US equivalentGirl Scout

guide

²

/ ɡaɪd /

verb

1. to lead the way for (a person)
2. to control the movement or course of (an animal, vehicle, etc) by physical action; steer
3. to supervise or instruct (a person)
4. tr to direct the affairs of (a person, company, nation, etc)

   he guided the country through the war

5. tr to advise or influence (a person) in his standards or opinions

   let truth guide you always

noun

1. 1. a person, animal, or thing that guides
   2. ( as modifier )

      a guide dog

2. a person, usually paid, who conducts tour expeditions, etc
3. a model or criterion, as in moral standards or accuracy
4. See guidebook
5. a book that instructs or explains the fundamentals of a subject or skill

   a guide to better living

6. any device that directs the motion of a tool or machine part
7. 1. a mark, sign, etc, that points the way
   2. ( in combination )

      guidepost

8. spiritualism a spirit believed to influence a medium so as to direct what he utters and convey messages through him
9. 1. navy a ship in a formation used as a reference for manoeuvres, esp with relation to maintaining the correct formation and disposition
   2. military a soldier stationed to one side of a column or line to regulate alignment, show the way, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈguideless, adjective
• ˈguidable, adjective
• ˈguiding, adjectivenoun
• ˈguider, noun

Other Words From

• guida·ble adjective
• guideless adjective
• guider noun
• guiding·ly adverb
• non·guida·ble adjective
• pre·guide verb (used with object) preguided preguiding
• re·guide verb (used with object) reguided reguiding
• un·guida·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guide¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English giden (verb), gide (noun), from Old French gui(d)er (verb), gui(d)e (noun), from Germanic; akin to wit ²( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of guide¹

C14: from (Old) French guider, of Germanic origin; compare Old English wītan to observe

Example Sentences

Download this guide to explore all the winners of the 2020 Digiday Media Awards Europe.

From Digiday

Looking through this public art guide, I noticed a number of artworks placed in police stations throughout the city.

From ProPublica

Gear Patrol, which bills itself as the definitive buying guide for men, is taking similar steps to increase engagement on its social media channels, primarily on Instagram, in order to introduce audiences to products that it covers on its website.

From Digiday

Readers were particularly drawn to deep-dives, explainers and guides around streaming platforms’ catalogs of older shows, Hill said.

From Digiday

The made-for-Amazon brand is using most of the tools and techniques of a best in class ad campaign strategy to have, and can serve as a guide if brands don’t know where to start.

From Digiday

I've seen video of that satirical guide to SXSW in 1998 where you asked a bunch of bands odd questions.

From The Daily Beast

If history is a guide, Huckabee will need to resonate with more than just the faithful if he is to win.

From The Daily Beast

Objectively, they are not just riding with the tide, but helping to guide its very direction.

From The Daily Beast

Add to that the DISH Anywhere app, and you have instant access to the program guide and the ability to record shows on the go.

From The Daily Beast

In “Cartoons and Cereal,” he sings, “Reminisce when I had the morning appetite/ Apple Jacks, had nothing that I hit the TV Guide.”

From The Daily Beast

This, of course, I always gave to the guide to use in sending the letter when he got to the trading-post.

From Project Gutenberg

He said something laughingly to the head guide to the effect that climbing was good sport and a fine test for the nerves.

From Project Gutenberg

To guide his mind into the channel of the printed exposition, he calls into play the Directory power of the attention.

From Project Gutenberg

Taking half a dozen men with him, and compelling the woman to act as guide, he went to the tomb in the dark.

From Project Gutenberg

Men of science strove to read the riddle of life; to guide and to succour their fellow creatures.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• catalog
• clue
• directory
• guidebook
• handbook
• key
• manual

When To Use

What are other ways to say guide?

To guide someone is to assist them in traveling through or in reaching a destination by accompanying them or giving them directions. How does guide compare to synonyms conduct, direct, and lead? Find out on Thesaurus.com.