Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who leads or shows the way: Someone who accompanies and directs others, especially tourists or travelers, on a journey or through an area.
   • A person who advises or influences: Someone who provides counsel, direction, or mentorship in a particular field or in life.
   • A thing used for reference or direction: A structure, marking, model, book, or set of instructions that provides basic information or a standard for making comparisons.
   • A device for controlling motion: A mechanical part that directs or steers the movement of something else.

2. Verb:

   • To lead or show the way to a destination: To physically accompany someone or direct their path.
   • To direct the course or movement of something: To steer, control, or influence the direction of travel or action.
   • To advise or influence someone's actions or decisions: To act as a mentor or counselor.
   • To pass something through a channel or along a path: To move or position something carefully along a guided route.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The tour guide explained the history of the ancient temple.
  • This handbook is an essential guide for new employees.
  • The moral teachings of her parents were her guide throughout life.
  • The metal guide ensures the saw blade cuts in a straight line.

• Verb:

  • She offered to guide us through the busy market streets.
  • He used the stars to guide the ship.
  • A good teacher should guide students toward critical thinking.
  • He carefully guided the thread through the eye of the needle.

Advanced Usage

• "to guide someone's hand": To physically help someone perform a delicate action; metaphorically, to influence someone's actions subtly.
  • The master potter guided the apprentice's hand to shape the clay.
• "to guide against": To advise as a precaution.
  • The manual guides against using the device near water.

Variants and Related Words

• Guidance (n): Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty; the act of guiding.
  • She sought career guidance from her professor.
• Guidebook (n): A book of information about a place for visitors or tourists.
  • We bought a guidebook before our trip to Rome.
• Guideline (n): A general rule, principle, or piece of advice.
  • The company issued new safety guidelines.

Synonyms

• Noun: Leader, director, counselor, handbook, manual, beacon.
• Verb: Lead, direct, steer, conduct, usher, counsel, advise.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Guide through: To lead someone through a process or complex situation, often with explanation.
  • The lawyer guided her client through the lengthy legal documents.

Related Idioms

• A guiding light: A person or principle that serves as an inspiration or example.
  • Her kindness was a guiding light for the entire community.
• Let conscience be your guide: To act according to your own sense of right and wrong.
  • When making the difficult decision, he decided to let conscience be his guide.

Noun

1. a structure or marking that serves to direct the motion or positioning of something
2. someone who can find paths through unexplored territory
3. a model or standard for making comparisons
4. something that offers basic information or instruction
5. someone who shows the way by leading or advising
6. someone employed to conduct others

Verb

1. pass over, across, or through
   • He ran his eyes over her body
   • She ran her fingers along the carved figurine
   • He drew her hair through his fingers
2. use as a guide
   • They had the lights to guide on
3. be a guiding or motivating force or drive
   • The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses
4. take somebody somewhere
   • We lead him to our chief
   • can you take me to the main entrance?
   • He conducted us to the palace
5. direct the course; determine the direction of travelling