# garde

/ˈɡɑɹd/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/garde
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a person or group that protects something, or a position of readiness. You usually see this word today as part of the phrase 'on garde' or 'off garde' in sports like fencing.

For teachers: a posture of defense or a state of readiness, particularly in combat or fencing. While largely replaced by 'guard' in modern English, it persists in specific idiomatic expressions and technical sporting contexts.

## Examples

- The fencer stood in a perfect garde before the match began.
- The coach instructed the athletes to maintain their garde even when they felt the opponent was tiring.

## Pitfalls

- Not "he was caught off garde" but "he was caught off guard" — In general modern English, the spelling 'guard' is used for the idiom; 'garde' is reserved for technical fencing or French contexts.

## Usage notes

- Commonly encountered in the French loan-phrase 'en garde' to signal the start of a fencing bout.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.