guide

1 of 2

noun

ˈgīd 

1

a

: one that leads or directs another's way

needed a guide for the safari

b

: a person who exhibits and explains points of interest

The museum guide was very helpful.

c

: something that provides a person with guiding information

used the stars as a guide to find their way back

d

: signpost sense 1

e

: a person who directs another's conduct or course of life

He was my mentor and guide during the early years of my career.

2

a

: a device for steadying or directing the motion of something

The jigsaw was equipped with a guide.

b

: a ring or loop for holding the line of a fishing rod in position

c

: a sheet or a card with projecting tab for labeling inserted in a card index to facilitate reference

3

: a member of a unit on whom the movements or alignments of a military command are regulated

—used especially in commands

guide right

guide

2 of 2

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

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

Noun

• guard
• companion
• escort
• attendant

Verb

• show
• coach
• accompany
• 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

Noun

We hired a guide for our trip to the mountains.

He was my friend and my guide in the early years of my career.

They used the stars as a guide to find their way back.

If past experience is any guide, we're in for a long and difficult project.

Verb

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

Noun

Read on to discover our guide to Carova, North Carolina. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 July 2025

Check out our guides to the Best Sleeping Bags and the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 5 July 2025

Verb

His legacy was the tradition of limited government and individual responsibility that guides us back to our true north when America gets off track. —Linda McMahon, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 July 2025

Leah Williamson, who led England to Euro 2022 glory and helped guide Arsenal to Champions League success as vice-captain, has been a natural leader. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English gide, guide, from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan guida, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, witan to know — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

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