guide

[ gahyd ]
See synonyms for guide on Thesaurus.com
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.

  2. to accompany (a sightseer) to show points of interest and to explain their meaning or significance.

  1. to force (a person, object, or animal) to move in a certain path.

  2. to supply (a person) with advice or counsel, as in practical or spiritual affairs.

  3. to supervise (someone's actions or affairs) in an advisory capacity.

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

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

  1. a book, pamphlet, etc., giving information, instructions, or advice; handbook: an investment guide.

  2. a device that regulates or directs progressive motion or action: a sewing-machine guide.

  3. a spirit believed to direct the utterances of a medium.

  4. Military. a member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.

Origin of guide

1
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 wit2

Other words for guide

Opposites for guide

Other words from guide

  • guid·a·ble, adjective
  • guideless, adjective
  • guider, noun
  • guid·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·guid·a·ble, adjective
  • pre·guide, verb (used with object), pre·guid·ed, pre·guid·ing.
  • re·guide, verb (used with object), re·guid·ed, re·guid·ing.
  • un·guid·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for guide (1 of 2)

guide

/ (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

  1. to supervise or instruct (a person)

  2. (tr) to direct the affairs of (a person, company, nation, etc): he guided the country through the war

  3. (tr) to advise or influence (a person) in his standards or opinions: let truth guide you always

noun
    • a person, animal, or thing that guides

    • (as modifier): a guide dog

  1. a person, usually paid, who conducts tour expeditions, etc

  1. a model or criterion, as in moral standards or accuracy

  2. a book that instructs or explains the fundamentals of a subject or skill: a guide to better living

  3. any device that directs the motion of a tool or machine part

    • a mark, sign, etc, that points the way

    • (in combination): guidepost

  4. spiritualism a spirit believed to influence a medium so as to direct what he utters and convey messages through him

    • navy a ship in a formation used as a reference for manoeuvres, esp with relation to maintaining the correct formation and disposition

    • military a soldier stationed to one side of a column or line to regulate alignment, show the way, etc

Origin of guide

1
C14: from (Old) French guider, of Germanic origin; compare Old English wītan to observe

Derived forms of guide

  • guidable, adjective
  • guideless, adjective
  • guider, noun
  • guiding, adjective, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Guide (2 of 2)

Guide

/ (ɡaɪd) /


noun
  1. (sometimes not capital) a member of an organization for girls equivalent to the Scouts: US equivalent: Girl Scout

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012