I. guide 1 S3 W2 /ɡaɪd/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: French ; Origin: Old Provençal guida ]
1 . FOR DECIDING/JUDGING something that provides information and helps you to form an opinion or make a decision:
The polls are not a reliable guide of how people will vote.
The figures are only a rough guide.
2 . PERSON
a) someone whose job is to take tourists to a place and show them around:
a tour guide
an experienced mountain guide
b) someone who advises you and influences the way you live:
my spiritual guide
3 . INSTRUCTIONS
a) a book or piece of writing that provides information on a particular subject or explains how to do something
guide to
a guide to North American birds
Follow our step-by-step guide.
Details of how to use the various programs are in the user guide.
b) a guidebook
4 . GIRL British English
a) the Guides the Guides Association, which teaches girls practical skills ⇨ scout
b) a member of the Guides Association
II. guide 2 W3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to take someone to a place SYN lead
guide somebody along/through etc
He guided us through the narrow streets to the central mosque.
2 . to help someone or something to move in a particular direction
guide somebody/something into/towards etc
He guided her firmly towards the sofa.
Searchlights were used to guide the ship into the harbour.
3 . to influence someone’s behaviour or ideas:
Teenagers need adults to guide them.
4 . to show someone the right way to do something, especially something difficult or complicated
guide somebody through something
Guide your students through the program one section at a time.