# guide

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɡaɪd/ · frequency rank #1,829

## Definitions
1. Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain.
2. A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook.
3. A sign that guides people; guidepost.
4. Any marking or object that catches the eye to provide quick reference.
5. Synonym of legend, a key to symbols, abbreviations, and terms on a map, chart, etc.
6. A device that guides part of a machine, or guides motion or action.
7. A device that guides part of a machine, or guides motion or action.
8. A device that guides part of a machine, or guides motion or action.
9. A spirit believed to speak through a medium.
10. A member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest.

## Etymology
c. 1325–75. From Middle English guide, from the Old French guide, from Old Occitan guida, from guidar, from Frankish *wītan (“to show the way, lead”), from Proto-Germanic *wītaną (“to see, know; go, depart”), from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to see, know”). Cognate with Old English wītan (“to see, take heed to, watch after, guard, keep”). Related also to English wit.

## Easily confused with
- **guilt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guilt)
- **guild** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guild)
- **guise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guise)
- **Guido** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guido)
- **guile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guile)
- **guided** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guided)
- **Guinea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guinea)
- **guides** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guides)
- **guilds** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/guide-vs-guilds)
- **GUI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gui-vs-guide)
- **give** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/give-vs-guide)
- **grid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grid-vs-guide)
- **grade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grade-vs-guide)
- **glide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/glide-vs-guide)
- **grids** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grids-vs-guide)
- **grime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grime-vs-guide)
- **goode** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/goode-vs-guide)
- **gripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gripe-vs-guide)
- **glade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/glade-vs-guide)
- **glider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/glider-vs-guide)

## Common misspellings (6)
`gguide`, `giude`, `gudie`, `guidde`, `guied`, `ugide`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/guide