guard
18 synonyms and 1 antonym for guard, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing.
“Two guards stood at the entrance to the museum.”
How to use guard
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
stand guard
catch someone off guard
guard against
security guard
Etymology
From Old French guarder, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to watch over" — a doublet of "garda" (as in "Garda," Ireland's police force).
Full origin of guard →Frequently asked questions
What does “guard” mean?
The word “guard” means a person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing. In plain terms, to protect, or a person/thing whose job is protection.
How do you pronounce “guard”?
“Guard” is pronounced gahd (/ɡɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “guard” in a sentence?
Here is “guard” used in a sentence: “Two guards stood at the entrance to the museum.”
What part of speech is “guard”?
Depending on how it is used, “guard” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guard” come from?
The word “guard” comes from Old French. From Old French guarder, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to watch over" — a doublet of "garda" (as in "Garda," Ireland's police force).
Is “guard” a common word?
“Guard” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “guard” have?
“Guard” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person whose job is to protect a place, person, or thing.
What is the difference between a 'guard' and a 'guardian'?
A guard protects a place, person, or object, usually as a job — think of a security guard or a prison guard watching over premises. A guardian is legally responsible for someone else's welfare, most often a child or a dependent adult. A guard watches; a guardian is entrusted with care.
What are the types of guard?
Common kinds include the security guard who watches buildings, the bodyguard who protects a person, the prison guard who oversees inmates, and the lifeguard who watches swimmers. The word also names ceremonial roles, such as a palace guard, and border or crossing guards who control who passes.
What is an example of a guard?
A security guard stationed at the entrance of a bank or shopping mall is a familiar example. Their job is to deter theft, monitor who comes and goes, and respond if something goes wrong — exactly the protective role the word describes.
