guy

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: man, fellow
b
: person
used in plural to refer to the members of a group regardless of sex
saw her and the rest of the guys
2
: individual, creature
The other dogs pale in comparison to this little guy.
3
often capitalized : a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes traditionally displayed and burned in England on Guy Fawkes Day
4
chiefly British : a person of grotesque appearance

guy

2 of 4

noun (2)

: a rope, chain, rod, or wire attached to something as a brace or guide

called also guyline

guy

3 of 4

verb (1)

guyed; guying; guys

transitive verb

: to steady or reinforce with a guy

guy

4 of 4

verb (2)

guyed; guying; guys

transitive verb

: to make fun of : ridicule

Did you know?

In England, November 5—Guy Fawkes Day—is celebrated by setting off fireworks and lighting bonfires. Human likenesses made of tattered clothes stuffed with hay or rags are burned on the bonfires. The day is named after a 17thcentury man, Guy Fawkes, who led a plot to blow up the British Parliament buildings. Fawkes managed to hide 20 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of the buildings. However, the plot was discovered before he could carry out his plans. He was seized and later put to death. The human likenesses burned on the fires came to be called guys. The verb guy “to ridicule” is derived from this story also. The use of the word was extended to similar figures and then to a person of strange appearance or dress. In the US, the word came to mean simply “man” and in time “a person of either sex.”

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Chacon is a hoot as the guy who wants druuuuuuuugs and chiiiiiiicks. Darren Franich, EW.com, 1 Mar. 2023 Renawe 3 Pcs Wooden Pens Set with Pen Gift Case Now 11% Off This luxe set is perfect for the old-school guy who loves the feel of real pen & paper. Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 28 Feb. 2023 But the little green guy isn't taking to the training. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2023 The battle ends with the nefarious Moff Gideon whisking Grogu away from his psuedo-dad, forced to imagine the dangers awaiting Grogu as Gideon determines the green guy’s a suitable blood donor. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023 So not wanting to celebrate the bad guy, but focusing more on the relationship between father and son. Jd Linville, Variety, 28 Feb. 2023 The guy under center has got to be able to do the job. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2023 The guy won Game 4 in the 2021 finals against Phoenix. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2023 But back in 1976, during the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, Carter needed to identify himself because hardly anyone outside Georgia had heard much about the guy. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Guy Fawkes

Noun (2)

probably from Dutch gei brail

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1623, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1712, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of guy was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near guy

Cite this Entry

“Guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guy. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

guy

1 of 3 noun
: a rope, chain, rod, or wire attached to something as a brace or guide

guy

2 of 3 verb
guyed; guying
: to steady or strengthen with a guy

guy

3 of 3 noun
Etymology

Noun

probably from Dutch gei "a rope used to control a sail"

Noun

named for Guy Fawkes 1570–1606 English criminal

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