Word
guideline
Phoneticsguide·line, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡaɪdˌɫaɪn/
UK/ɡˈaɪdlaɪn/
日本語指針※
Countable noun
Definition
n. a rule or piece of advice that tells you how to do something correctly. It is usually a suggestion rather than a strict law.
n. a general rule, principle, or piece of advice. Often used in plural to describe a set of non-binding instructions for conduct or procedure.
Examples
“The government issued a new guideline for healthy eating.”
“The company provides a clear guideline for how employees should handle customer complaints on social media.”
“While these ethical guidelines are not legally enforceable, they serve as a vital framework for researchers navigating the complexities of human subject trials.”
Examples
simple
“The government issued a new guideline for healthy eating.”
contextual
“The company provides a clear guideline for how employees should handle customer complaints on social media.”
complex
“While these ethical guidelines are not legally enforceable, they serve as a vital framework for researchers navigating the complexities of human subject trials.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “guideline” in context.
Adjective
01. general guideline
“As a general guideline, you should aim to drink at least two liters of water every day.”
adj + noun
02. specific guideline
“The manual provides a specific guideline for handling hazardous materials safely.”
adj + noun
Usage
Commonly used in the plural form ('guidelines') when referring to a complete set of instructions.
Real-World Examples
“The new guidelines step back from recommended daily limits on broadly defined “screen time”.” “After arriving at the airport in Kenya's capital, he was transferred by a relative to a hospital in the city where he died, and was buried on Tuesday in line with health safety guidelines.” “While it's not loud enough to damage hearing, long-term exposure, especially in the home, can disturb sleep and increase the risk of certain health problems, which is why it's used as a planning guideline.” “A month later, it rejected the Scottish Greens' call for applications to be paused until new national guidelines are in force.” Etymology
From guide + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/guideline
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0