guide

verb

guided; guiding

transitive verb

1

: to act as a guide to : direct in a way or course

He guided us around the city.

2

a

: to direct, supervise, or influence usually to a particular end

guided the team to victory

You'll need a lawyer to guide you through the legal system.

b

: to superintend the training or instruction of

A respected educator guided his studies.

intransitive verb

: to act or work as a guide

guider noun

Synonyms of guide

• show
• accompany
• coach
• lead
• steer
• teach
• mentor
• inform
• counsel
• escort
• tutor

Choose the Right Synonym for guide

guide, lead, steer, pilot, engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed.

guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

guided the scouts through the cave

lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

led his team to victory

steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

steered the ship through a narrow channel

pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

piloted the bill through the Senate

engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

engineered his son's election to the governorship

Examples of guide in a Sentence

He guided us around the city.

He claims that there were unknown forces guiding the outcome of the election.

He carefully guided the ship into the harbor.

She guided her team to victory.

Let your conscience guide you.

Her example helped to guide me toward a career in medicine.

In his work, he has always been guided by a desire to help other people.

programs to help guide teenagers away from drug use

She had a guiding influence on my decision.

His guiding principle when he built his house was that bigger was better.

Recent Examples on the Web

The winner of this race will help guide the county through further budget reductions over the coming years, according to county budget documents. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026

The company is also debuting a concierge service at O'Hare, where an airport ambassador meets travelers at airport drop-off lanes outside the airport and guides them through screening all the way to their gates. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Colman Domingo as Hugo Wakefield, a once devoted believer in Wardex’s mission but now a man desperately trying to guide Kellner and Fairchild to their destiny. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 June 2026

Each generation inherits the task of shaping its own era, of guiding history to become a place where the dignity of every person is safeguarded, justice is promoted and fraternity is made possible. —Pope Leo Xiv, Boston Herald, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing guide

• field guide
• guide dog
• guide word
• light guide
• tour guide

Rhymes for guide

• bide
• bride
• chide
• cried
• died
• dried
• dyed
• eid
• eide
• eyed
• flied
• fried

Kids Definition

guide

1 of 2 noun

ˈgīd 

1

a

: one that leads or directs another on a course

b

: a person who shows and explains points of interest (as on a tour)

c

: something that provides guiding information

a street guide

2

: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something

guide

2 of 2 verb

guided; guiding

1

: to act as a guide : conduct

guide a group on a tour

2

a

: manage sense 1, direct

guide a boat through the rapids

b

: counsel entry 2 sense 1, instruct

guidable

ˈgīd-ə-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

guide

noun

ˈgīd 

: a grooved director for a surgical probe or knife