guy

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

guy¹ /gaɪ/   n. [countable]

1. Informal Terms a man or boy;
   fellow.
2. Informal Terms guys, persons of either sex;
   people.

guy² /gaɪ/   n. [countable]

1. a rope, cable, or device used to guide and steady an object being hoisted or lowered, or to secure anything likely to shift its position.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

guy¹  (gī), n., v., guyed, guy•ing. 
n. 

1. Informal Terms a man or boy;
   fellow:
   He's a nice guy.
2. Informal Terms Usually, guys. persons of either sex;
   people:
   Could one of you guys help me with this?
3. British Terms [Chiefly Brit. Slang.] a grotesquely dressed person.
4. British Terms, World History (often cap.) a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes that is paraded through the streets and burned on Guy Fawkes Day.
5. British Terms give the guy to, to escape from (someone);
   give (someone) the slip.

v.t. 

6. to jeer at or make fun of;
   ridicule.

• after Guy Fawkes 1800–10

guy²  (gī), n., v., guyed, guy•ing. 
n. 

1. a rope, cable, or appliance used to guide and steady an object being hoisted or lowered, or to secure anything likely to shift its position.

v.t. 

2. to guide, steady, or secure with a guy or guys.

• Old French guie a guide, derivative of guier to guide
• Middle English gye 1300–50

Guy  (gī; Fr. gē), n. 

1. a male given name: from a Germanic word meaning "woods.''

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

guy / ɡaɪ/ noun

1. a man or youth
2. a crude effigy of Guy Fawkes, usually made of old clothes stuffed with straw or rags, that is burnt on top of a bonfire on Guy Fawkes Day
3. a person in shabby or ludicrously odd clothes
4. (plural) persons of any gender

verb

1. (transitive) to make fun of; ridicule

Etymology: 19th Century: short for Guy Fawkes

guy / ɡaɪ/ noun

1. a rope, chain, wire, etc, for anchoring an object, such as a radio mast, in position or for steadying or guiding it while being hoisted or lowered

verb

1. (transitive) to anchor, steady, or guide with a guy or guys

Etymology: 14th Century: probably from Low German; compare Dutch gei brail, geiblok pulley, Old French guie guide, from guier to guide

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Guy / ɡaɪ/ noun

1. Buddy, real name George Guy. born 1936, US blues singer and guitarist