Guide
/ɡaɪd/noun
A person or thing that shows the way or directs others.
Did you know?Guide ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “to lead,” which also gave English words tied to movement and direction, showing how language turns physical leading into spiritual and social authority.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wīþaną
“to guide, lead”
Old French
OF
guider
“to guide, lead, direct”
Middle English
ME
guiden
“to lead, direct, show the way”
16th Century
English
guide
“to direct or show the way; a person who leads others”
Modern English
English
guide
“a person or thing that shows the way or directs others”