Guest

¹ American  

[gest] / gɛst /

noun

1. Edgar A(lbert), 1881–1959, U.S. journalist and writer of verse, born in England.

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guest ² American  

[gest] / gɛst /

noun

1. a person who spends some time at another person's home in some social activity, as a visit, dinner, or party.

   Synonyms:

   company

2. a person who receives the hospitality of a club, a city, or the like.

3. a person who patronizes a hotel, restaurant, etc., for the lodging, food, or entertainment it provides.

4. an often well-known person invited to participate or perform in a regular program, series, etc., as a substitute for a regular member or as a special attraction.

5. Zoology. an inquiline.

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verb (used with object)

1. to entertain as a guest.

verb (used without object)

1. to be a guest; make an appearance as a guest.

   She's been guesting on all the TV talk shows.

adjective

1. provided for or done by a guest.

   a guest towel; a guest column for a newspaper.

2. participating or performing as a guest.

   a guest conductor.

guest British  

/ ɡɛst /

noun

1. a person who is entertained, taken out to eat, etc, and paid for by another

2. 1. a person who receives hospitality at the home of another

      a weekend guest

   2. ( as modifier )

      the guest room

3. 1. a person who receives the hospitality of a government, establishment, or organization

   2. ( as modifier )

      a guest speaker

4. 1. an actor, contestant, entertainer, etc, taking part as a visitor in a programme in which there are also regular participants

   2. ( as modifier )

      a guest appearance

5. a patron of a hotel, boarding house, restaurant, etc

6. zoology a nontechnical name for inquiline

7. informal do as you like

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verb

1. (intr) (in theatre and broadcasting) to be a guest

   to guest on a show

guest Idioms  

1. see be my guest.

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Related Words

See visitor.

Other Word Forms

• guestless adjective

Etymology

Origin of guest

First recorded before 900; Middle English gest, from Old Norse gestr; replacing Old English gi(e)st; cognate with German Gast, Gothic gasts, Latin hostis; host ¹, host ²

Example Sentences

He enjoyed company; “when Frances entertained guests, she got headaches.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Looking ahead, Lynch said the company aims to continue driving top-line growth with culinary and marketing innovation, strategic promotions and improved guest experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal

Upon entering the abode, guests are greeted with green carpeting that leads to a white staircase.

From MarketWatch

The dwelling, perched on the shores of Pavlovac Lake, offers guests the ultimate privacy.

From MarketWatch

Subscribers get access to full-length episodes of The WSJ Money Interview, plus the chance to have their questions answered by our guest.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• caller
• client
• companion
• customer
• inmate
• patron
• recipient
• tenant
• vacationer
• visitor