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guy

noun (1)
\ ˈgī How to pronounce guy (audio) \

Definition of guy

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : man, fellow
b : person —used in plural to refer to the members of a group regardless of sex saw her and the rest of the guys
2 : individual, creature the other dogs pale in companion to this little guy
3 often capitalized : a grotesque effigy of Guy Fawkes traditionally displayed and burned in England on Guy Fawkes Day
4 chiefly British : a person of grotesque appearance

guy

noun (2)

Definition of guy (Entry 2 of 4)

: a rope, chain, rod, or wire attached to something as a brace or guide

— called also guyline

guy

verb (1)
guyed; guying; guys

Definition of guy (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

: to steady or reinforce with a guy

guy

verb (2)
guyed; guying; guys

Definition of guy (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to make fun of : ridicule

Did You Know?

In England, November 5—Guy Fawkes Day—is celebrated by setting off fireworks and lighting bonfires. Human likenesses made of tattered clothes stuffed with hay or rags are burned on the bonfires. The day is named after a 17thcentury man, Guy Fawkes, who led a plot to blow up the British Parliament buildings. Fawkes managed to hide 20 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of the buildings. However, the plot was discovered before he could carry out his plans. He was seized and later put to death. The human likenesses burned on the fi res came to be called guys. The verb guy “to ridicule” is derived from this story also. The use of the word was extended to similar figures and then to a person of strange appearance or dress. In the US, the word came to mean simply “man” and in time “a person of either sex.”

First Known Use of guy

Noun (1)

1806, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1623, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1712, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1854, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for guy

Noun (1)

Guy Fawkes

Noun (2)

probably from Dutch gei brail

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More Definitions for guy

guy

noun
\ ˈgī How to pronounce guy (audio) \

Kids Definition of guy

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : fellow entry 1 sense 1
2 : person sense 1

guy

noun

Kids Definition of guy (Entry 2 of 2)

: a rope, chain, rod, or wire ( guy wire ) attached to something to steady it

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More from Merriam-Webster on guy

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with guy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for guy

Spanish Central: Translation of guy

Nglish: Translation of guy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of guy for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guy

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