guide

[gahyd]

verb (used with object)

guided, guiding 

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.

   Synonyms: escort, steer, pilot
   Antonyms: follow

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

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

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

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

   Synonyms: rule, govern, manage, regulate

noun

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

   Synonyms: conductor, director, pilot

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

   Synonyms: clue, key, indication, signal, sign

3. a guidebook.

4. a book, pamphlet, etc., giving information, instructions, or advice; handbook.

   an investment guide.

5. a guidepost.

6. a device that regulates or directs progressive motion or action.

   a sewing-machine guide.

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

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

guide

¹

/ 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

3. to supervise or instruct (a person)

4. (tr) to direct the affairs of (a person, company, nation, etc)

   he guided the country through the war

5. (tr) to advise or influence (a person) in his standards or opinions

   let truth guide you always

noun

1. 1. a person, animal, or thing that guides

   2. ( as modifier )

      a guide dog

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

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

4. See guidebook

5. a book that instructs or explains the fundamentals of a subject or skill

   a guide to better living

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

7. 1. a mark, sign, etc, that points the way

   2. ( in combination )

      guidepost

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

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

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

Guide

²

/ ɡaɪd /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• guideless adjective
• guidable adjective
• guiding adjective
• guider noun
• guidingly adverb
• nonguidable adjective
• preguide verb (used with object)
• reguide verb (used with object)
• unguidable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guide¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of guide¹

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

Example Sentences

Red Sanders departed Vanderbilt — his alma mater — to embark on a golden era of football at UCLA, guiding the Bruins to a 66-19-1 record and a share of the Bruins’ only national championship, in 1954.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He adds that the technique could eventually guide the development of therapies for this neurodegenerative disorder.

Read more on Science Daily

Though November PMIs for much of the region kept pointing to soft manufacturing, the surveys haven’t been a great guide to hard activity data for some economies, he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These structures were built to regulate seasonal flooding, guide water flow, and create stable areas for living and farming within a wetland that changes dramatically throughout the year.

Read more on Science Daily

The three shortlisted words were put to a public vote, the results of which helped to guide the final decision taken by OUP's language experts.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accompany 
• advise 
• educate 
• escort 
• govern 
• handle 
• influence 
• instruct 
• manage 
• maneuver 
• navigate 
• oversee 
• regulate 
• see 
• shepherd 
• steer 
• supervise 
• sway 
• teach 
• train 

When To Use

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.