guide
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
- Antonyms:
- follow
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to accompany (a sightseer) to show points of interest and to explain their meaning or significance.
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to force (a person, object, or animal) to move in a certain path.
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to supply (a person) with advice or counsel, as in practical or spiritual affairs.
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to supervise (someone's actions or affairs) in an advisory capacity.
noun
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a person who guides, especially one hired to guide travelers, tourists, hunters, etc.
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a mark, tab, or the like, to catch the eye and thus provide quick reference.
- Synonyms:
- clue, key, indication, signal, sign
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a guidebook.
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a book, pamphlet, etc., giving information, instructions, or advice; handbook.
an investment guide.
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a guidepost.
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a device that regulates or directs progressive motion or action.
a sewing-machine guide.
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a spirit believed to direct the utterances of a medium.
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Military. a member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.
verb
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to lead the way for (a person)
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to control the movement or course of (an animal, vehicle, etc) by physical action; steer
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to supervise or instruct (a person)
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(tr) to direct the affairs of (a person, company, nation, etc)
he guided the country through the war
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(tr) to advise or influence (a person) in his standards or opinions
let truth guide you always
noun
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a person, animal, or thing that guides
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( as modifier )
a guide dog
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a person, usually paid, who conducts tour expeditions, etc
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a model or criterion, as in moral standards or accuracy
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See guidebook
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a book that instructs or explains the fundamentals of a subject or skill
a guide to better living
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any device that directs the motion of a tool or machine part
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a mark, sign, etc, that points the way
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( in combination )
guidepost
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spiritualism a spirit believed to influence a medium so as to direct what he utters and convey messages through him
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navy a ship in a formation used as a reference for manoeuvres, esp with relation to maintaining the correct formation and disposition
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military a soldier stationed to one side of a column or line to regulate alignment, show the way, etc
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noun
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
- guidable adjective
- guideless adjective
- guider noun
- guiding adjective
- guidingly adverb
- nonguidable adjective
- preguide verb (used with object)
- reguide verb (used with object)
- unguidable adjective
Etymology
Origin of guide
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. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The prosecution argued that Thomas P was "the responsible guide for the tour", failed to call for help in time, and didn't send any distress signals when a police helicopter flew overhead.
From BBC
He suggested many patrollers earn their main income through offseason jobs like construction or outdoor guiding.
We're here to immerse ourselves in the night sky with the help of a guide.
From BBC
After caffeine is introduced, researchers have a limited window of a few hours, or the metabolization time of caffeine, to guide gene editing or related physiological processes.
From Science Daily
The brief June 2025 conflict is a poor guide to what is likely to follow.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
