Guy

Part of Speech

Noun, Verb

Pronunciation

/ɡaɪ/

Definitions

• 1. (Noun, informal) A man or boy.
• 2. (Noun, plural: guys) People in general, used informally to address a group.
• 3. (Noun, historical) A model or effigy of Guy Fawkes burned on Bonfire Night in Britain.
• 4. (Verb, archaic) To ridicule or mock someone.

Usage Examples

• "That guy over there is my friend from college."
• "Hey guys, let's go grab some coffee."
• "They burned a guy on Bonfire Night to celebrate the failed plot."

Etymology

Derived from the name Guy Fawkes, a conspirator in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The term originally referred to effigies burned on Bonfire Night and later became a general informal term for a man.

Synonyms

• Man, fellow, chap, dude, bloke

Antonyms

• Woman, lady, girl

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In American English, "guy" is pronounced with a strong /ɡaɪ/ sound, while in British English, it is often more clipped. In some dialects, the plural "guys" can sound like "goyz."

Historical Usage

The word "guy" was first used in the 17th century in reference to Guy Fawkes effigies and gradually shifted to mean any man by the 19th century.

Cultural Nuances

"Guys" is commonly used as a gender-neutral way to address a group in informal speech, particularly in American English. However, in some contexts, its use to address mixed-gender groups is debated.

More Information

While "guy" primarily refers to a male, its plural form, "guys," is widely used to refer to groups of any gender. The term is often seen in pop culture, movies, and casual speech. It remains a staple of English slang worldwide.