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noun B1 Intermediate

lifeguard

LYF-gahrd
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Lifeguard (noun) means a trained person, usually a strong swimmer, employed to watch over and rescue swimmers at a beach or pool. Example: “The lifeguard blew her whistle when the current got too strong.”

noun
1
A trained person, usually a strong swimmer, employed to watch over and rescue swimmers at a beach or pool.
"The lifeguard blew her whistle when the current got too strong."
"He trained for months to become a certified lifeguard."

How to use lifeguard

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone whose job is to keep swimmers safe and rescue them if needed.

Common pairings
on duty as a lifeguard lifeguard tower certified lifeguard
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Word forms

Plural
lifeguards
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ blew her whistle when the current got too strong.

Etymology

A compound of life + guard, originally modelled on the Dutch lijfgarde ("bodyguard") before shifting to its modern water-safety meaning.

Origin: Dutch

Related words

Rhymes for lifeguard

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lifeguard” mean?
The word “lifeguard” means a trained person, usually a strong swimmer, employed to watch over and rescue swimmers at a beach or pool. In plain terms, someone whose job is to keep swimmers safe and rescue them if needed.
How do you pronounce “lifeguard”?
“Lifeguard” is pronounced LYF-gahrd (/ˈlaɪfˌɡɑɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “lifeguard” in a sentence?
Here is “lifeguard” used in a sentence: “The lifeguard blew her whistle when the current got too strong.”
What part of speech is “lifeguard”?
“Lifeguard” is a noun.
Where does the word “lifeguard” come from?
The word “lifeguard” comes from Dutch. A compound of life + guard, originally modelled on the Dutch lijfgarde ("bodyguard") before shifting to its modern water-safety meaning.

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