guest
gehst
Guest (noun) means a person who visits or stays at someone's home, or who is invited somewhere. Example: “We had twelve guests at the wedding reception.”
noun
1
A person who visits or stays at someone's home, or who is invited somewhere.
"We had twelve guests at the wedding reception."
"The hotel guest complained about the noisy room next door."
"Our guests stayed for the whole weekend and left a lovely thank-you note."
2
A person invited to appear on a show, podcast, or event, often as an expert or performer.
"Tonight's guest on the podcast is a bestselling novelist."
"The radio host welcomed a famous chef as her guest this morning."
"Who is the special guest on next week's episode of the show?"
verb
1
To appear as an invited visitor or performer, especially on a broadcast.
"The singer guested on her friend's new album."
"He guested on a cooking programme last spring and made everyone laugh."
"The comedian will guest on the radio show every Friday this month."
How to use guest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone invited somewhere, whether to a home, hotel, or show.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
guest of honor
guest speaker
hotel guest
special guest
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Word forms
- Plural
- guests
- Third person singular
- guests
- Past tense
- guested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We had twelve _____ at the wedding reception.
Etymology
From Old Norse gestr, merging with an Old English word, both from a very old root shared with "host" and "hospitality."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for guest
See all rhymes for 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.
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