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.
to accompany (a sightseer) to show points of interest and to explain their meaning or significance.
to force (a person, object, or animal) to move in a certain path.
to supply (a person) with advice or counsel, as in practical or spiritual affairs.
to supervise (someone's actions or affairs) in an advisory capacity.
a person who guides, especially one hired to guide travelers, tourists, hunters, etc.
a mark, tab, or the like, to catch the eye and thus provide quick reference.
a guidebook.
a book, pamphlet, etc., giving information, instructions, or advice; handbook.
an investment guide.
a guidepost.
a device that regulates or directs progressive motion or action.
a sewing-machine guide.
a spirit believed to direct the utterances of a medium.
Military. a member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.
to lead the way for (a person)
to control the movement or course of (an animal, vehicle, etc) by physical action; steer
to supervise or instruct (a person)
(tr) to direct the affairs of (a person, company, nation, etc)
he guided the country through the war
(tr) to advise or influence (a person) in his standards or opinions
let truth guide you always
a person, animal, or thing that guides
( as modifier )
a guide dog
a person, usually paid, who conducts tour expeditions, etc
a model or criterion, as in moral standards or accuracy
See guidebook
a book that instructs or explains the fundamentals of a subject or skill
a guide to better living
any device that directs the motion of a tool or machine part
a mark, sign, etc, that points the way
( in combination )
guidepost
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
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.
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. )
A guide is someone who shows you the way. You'd be lucky to have a kind older sibling to act as your guide through middle school, giving you advice and helping you figure out the school and social scenes. A guide often leads tourists through a city, taking them to important sites, or assists a group of mountain climbers. Another kind of guide is a book of helpful instructions about what to see in a particular country, how to get along with your teenager, or the best way to grow orchids. When you guide people, you help them find their way, whether it's through the New York subway system or through the steps of building a campfire.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The predictability of the chair’s voice did more than hold an institution together or guide markets through individual decisions.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
They contain internal scaffolding, tightly controlled chemical processes, and genetic instructions that guide nearly everything they do.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026
Fidelity, as a guide, suggests twice your salary saved for retirement by age 35 and six times by age 50.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026
From scalp detoxification to digital eye strain relief, wellness reporter Deborah Vankin shares her guide to the best specialized massages in Los Angeles from head to toe.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
Two looked to be young adventurers out for fun while the third was a tour led by an underground guide.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
