guy
geye
Guy (noun) means a man or boy; an informal word for a male person. Example: “He's a really nice guy once you get to know him.”
noun
1
A man or boy; an informal word for a male person.
"He's a really nice guy once you get to know him."
"Which guy was it who called earlier?"
"A guy at the shop helped me carry the shelves to my car."
2
In the plural, an informal way to address a group of people regardless of gender.
"Come on, guys, we need to get moving."
"Are you guys ready to order some food yet?"
"Thanks for coming, guys, it really means a lot to me."
3
A rope or cable used to steady or secure a structure such as a mast or tent.
"They tightened the guy ropes before the storm hit."
"She checked that every guy was pegged firmly into the ground."
"One loose guy made the tent flap noisily all night."
How to use guy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal word for a man — or, in the plural, a friendly way to address any group of people.
UK vs US
The plural "you guys" as a gender-neutral group address is common in both American and British informal speech, though it started in the US.
Common pairings
a nice guy
you guys
guy rope
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like guy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- guys, guies
- Third person singular
- guys
- Past tense
- guyed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's a really nice _____ once you get to know him.
Etymology
From "Guy Fawkes," the man behind the 1605 Gunpowder Plot in England; effigies of him burned on bonfires eventually gave the word its casual sense of "man" or "fellow."
Related words
Rhymes for guy
See all rhymes for guy →Frequently asked questions
What does “guy” mean?
The word “guy” means a man or boy; an informal word for a male person. In plain terms, an informal word for a man — or, in the plural, a friendly way to address any group of people.
How do you pronounce “guy”?
“Guy” is pronounced geye ([ɡaɪ] in IPA).
How do you use “guy” in a sentence?
Here is “guy” used in a sentence: “He's a really nice guy once you get to know him.”
What part of speech is “guy”?
“Guy” is a noun.
Where does the word “guy” come from?
The word “guy” dates back to around 1605. From "Guy Fawkes," the man behind the 1605 Gunpowder Plot in England; effigies of him burned on bonfires eventually gave the word its casual sense of "man" or "fellow.".
Is “guy” a common word?
“Guy” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “guy” have?
“Guy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man or boy; an informal word for a male person.
What is the difference between guy and man?
Both refer to a male person, but "guy" is casual and friendly, while "man" is neutral and works in any setting. You would call a friend a guy but describe a witness as a man in a report. "Guy" also carries a relaxed, approachable tone that the plainer word "man" does not.
Can 'guys' refer to women?
Yes. In the plural, "guys" is commonly used to address or describe a mixed group, or even an all-female group, as in "Hey, guys." Used this way it is gender-neutral and simply means "everyone." In the singular, however, "guy" almost always refers specifically to a male person.
Is 'guy' formal or informal?
Guy is informal. It suits conversation, friendly writing, and casual settings, but it is out of place in formal or official contexts, where "man," "gentleman," or "male" fit better. Using "guy" signals a relaxed, everyday tone rather than a professional, legal, or ceremonial one.
Where does the word 'guy' come from?
It traces back to Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up the English Parliament in 1605. The effigies burned on bonfire night were called "guys," and the word came to mean a strange-looking figure, then any man. Over time it lost its mockery and became a friendly, everyday term.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include guy:
