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

The latest group to unionize are intimacy coordinators, a new category of workers who guide actors through sensitive material on sets.

From Los Angeles Times

On the positive side, valuable data to guide recharge efforts have emerged in recent years, including detailed information on the natural architecture of the aquifer system, Fogg said.

From Los Angeles Times

They uncovered thousands of previously unknown targets for snoRNAs in human cells and mouse brain tissues, including many that serve functions other than guiding rRNA modifications.

From Science Daily

He kept Forest up in 2022-23 having guided them to promotion the season before after taking over when they were bottom of the Championship.

From BBC

The 44-year-old guided Forest to promotion into the top flight in 2022 and, after having kept them in the division the following season, he was dismissed midway through 2023-24 with the club in 17th spot.

From BBC

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.