What is guest? Pronunciation and usage in English

guest means . Learn how to pronounce and use guest through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of guest

guestnoun

/ɡɛst/
Definition & pronunciation of guest

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "guest" in English. It's a bit tricky because it's not always pronounced exactly as it looks!

Here are a few common pronunciations and explanations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡest/ (approximately "gest")
  • Breakdown:
    • "ge" is pronounced like the "j" in "judge."
    • "st" is pronounced like "st" in "stop."
  • Sound: It's a quick, soft "gest" sound. Think of saying "jest" quickly.

2. The Pronunciation in British English:

  • Pronunciation: /ɡest/ (approximately "gest") - very similar to American English!
  • Note: British and American English often have very similar pronunciations for this word, and the difference is subtle.

Tips for Saying It Right:

  • Don’t stress the "ea": The "ea" sound is often softened and almost blends into the "g."
  • Keep it brief: "Guest" is a short word. Don't over-emphasize the individual sounds.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (American, British, Australian, etc.) Knowing your accent helps me narrow down the most likely pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word guest in English

Let's break down how to use the word "guest" in English. It has several different meanings and uses! Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. As a Person Visiting Temporarily:

  • Definition: This is the most common meaning. A guest is someone who is visiting a place (like a home, a hotel, or a country) for a limited time.
  • Examples:
    • "We have a guest staying with us this week." (A visitor)
    • "The hotel is fully booked, there are no more rooms available for guests." (People who are staying at the hotel)
    • "As a guest in France, you should learn a few basic French phrases." (Someone visiting France)
    • "Thank you for being a guest in our home." (Expressing gratitude for a visit)

2. Referring to a Performance or Event Attendee:

  • Definition: "Guest" can describe someone attending a performance, event, or exhibition.
  • Examples:
    • "The guest speaker at the conference will be Dr. Smith." (A speaker)
    • "We purchased guest tickets for the concert." (Attendees)
    • "The museum is holding a gala for its guests." (People attending the gala)

3. As a Formal Title (Less Common Now):

  • Definition: Historically, "guest" was used as a formal title, particularly for nobility or royalty. It was a way to distinguish them from those who were commoners. This usage is largely obsolete today.
  • Example (mostly found in older texts): "The King received his guests with great honor." (You wouldn't usually use this in modern conversation.)

4. In Phrases and Expressions:

  • "Guest star": An actor who appears in a television show or movie but is not a regular cast member. “This episode has a guest star, Ryan Reynolds!”
  • "Guest worker": Someone who works temporarily in another country.
  • “Guest list”: A list of people invited to an event. "Could you check the guest list to see if John is coming?"
  • “At someone’s guest”: Meaning visiting someone. “I was at Sarah’s guest last weekend.”
  • “A guest of…”: Used to indicate someone is invited or hosted by someone. “I'm a guest of the British Ambassador.”

5. As a Pronoun (Rare):

  • Occasionally, you might see "guest" used as a pronoun meaning 'he' or 'she,' but this is quite formal and uncommon. It's usually best to avoid this.

Tips for Using "Guest" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "guest" depends heavily on the situation.
  • Consider Tone: Using “guest” can sound a bit formal. For casual conversation, “visitor” or “person visiting” might be more appropriate.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what kind of context are you trying to use the word "guest"? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, a school assignment?)

Synonyms for the word guest

Idioms of the word guest

be my guest
(informal)used to give somebody permission to do something that they have asked to do
  • ‘Do you mind if I open the window?’ ‘Be my guest.’

Practice with vocabulary guest

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The hotel prides itself on making every ___________ feel welcome and valued during their stay.
  2. During the product launch, each invited ___________ received a complimentary gift bag.
  3. The main ___________ for the evening's lecture is a distinguished professor from Oxford University.
  4. The company's CEO will ___________ the annual shareholder meeting next week.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. During the conference, all registered ___________ received a welcome pack. a) participants b) guests c) attendees d) delegates
  2. The hotel staff is trained to anticipate the needs of every ___________ for a five-star experience. a) client b) customer c) visitor d) guest
  3. The company arranged a special dinner for its esteemed international ___________. a) invitees b) visitors c) guests d) delegates
  4. The CEO addressed the ___________ about the company's future strategy. a) board b) employees c) audience d) executives
  5. You should always prioritize customer ___________ to build a strong brand reputation. a) satisfaction b) service c) loyalty d) feedback

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Individuals attending the symposium were provided with detailed itineraries upon arrival. (Rewrite using "guest")
  2. The hotel reserves a specific room type for visiting dignitaries and important clients. (Rewrite using a related word form of "guest")
  3. The firm often brings in external consultants to provide specialized expertise on complex projects. (Rewrite without "guest", using a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. guest
  2. guest
  3. speaker / lecturer
  4. host / chair / preside over

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) participants, b) guests, c) attendees, d) delegates
  2. d) guest
  3. a) invitees, b) visitors, c) guests, d) delegates
  4. a) board, b) employees, c) audience, d) executives
  5. a) satisfaction, b) service, c) loyalty, d) feedback

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The guests attending the symposium were provided with detailed itineraries upon arrival. / All guests at the symposium received detailed itineraries upon arrival.
  2. The hotel reserves a specific guest room type for visiting dignitaries and important clients. / The hotel offers a dedicated guest suite for its visiting dignitaries and important clients.
  3. The firm often brings in external experts (or specialists / advisors) to provide specialized expertise on complex projects.

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