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.
Folks for teach me, understand me, guide me.”
From Literature
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Day and night, it guided a long, narrow piece of paper moving faithfully underneath a quivering black pen.
From Literature
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If the stock market’s reaction to Kevin Warsh is any guide, it’s going to be a bumpy ride for investors over the next few months.
From MarketWatch
What follows is a guide to where we stayed, ate and wandered — and why Miami, even when it rains, is a place that knows how to celebrate.
From Salon
"Materials intended primarily for local communities" have also been produced in two languages, including a guide for volunteers, it told AFP.
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.