noun

guy

geye

noun

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?"

In the plural, an informal way to address a group of people regardless of gender.

"Come on, guys, we need to get moving."

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."

How to Use Guy

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

guyed past tense, guyed past tense, guys plural, guys plural, guies plural, Guys plural, Guys plural, guys singular, guys singular

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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."

Rhymes for guy

buy muy Chuy

See all rhymes for guy →