guest
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for guest, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who visits or stays at someone's home, or who is invited somewhere.
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.
How to use guest
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Norse gestr, merging with an Old English word, both from a very old root shared with "host" and "hospitality."
Full origin of guest →Frequently asked questions
What does “guest” mean?
The word “guest” means a person who visits or stays at someone's home, or who is invited somewhere. In plain terms, someone invited somewhere, whether to a home, hotel, or show.
How do you pronounce “guest”?
“Guest” is pronounced gehst (/ɡɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “guest” in a sentence?
Here is “guest” used in a sentence: “We had twelve guests at the wedding reception.”
What part of speech is “guest”?
Depending on how it is used, “guest” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “guest” come from?
The word “guest” comes from Old English. From Old Norse gestr, merging with an Old English word, both from a very old root shared with "host" and "hospitality.".
Is “guest” a common word?
“Guest” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “guest” have?
“Guest” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who visits or stays at someone's home, or who is invited somewhere.
What is the difference between a guest and a host?
A guest is the person who visits, stays, or is invited somewhere. The host is the opposite: the person who receives the guest, provides the space, and does the welcoming. In short, the host offers hospitality and the guest receives it, whether at a home, party, hotel, or event.
What are the types of guests?
Guest covers many situations. A house guest stays overnight in someone's home, a hotel guest pays to stay, and a wedding or party guest is invited to an event. A guest of honor is the most celebrated attendee, while a guest speaker or guest star appears by special invitation.
What is a guest of honor?
A guest of honor is the person an event is chiefly held for or who receives special recognition at it. They are usually seated in a prominent place, introduced first, and treated with particular attention, such as the retiree at a farewell dinner or a visiting dignitary at a banquet.
Is 'guest' a positive word?
Guest is generally positive or neutral. It suggests someone welcomed and treated with hospitality, which is why we speak of being a 'good guest.' It can turn slightly negative only in phrases like 'uninvited guest,' where the person's presence is unwanted, but the base meaning stays courteous and friendly.