English Reference

Word

guido

Phoneticsgui·do

/ˈɡwidoʊ/

Definition

n. a slang word for a young Italian-American man who acts very tough and cares a lot about his clothes and hair. It is often used as an insult and can be seen as rude or offensive.

n. a derogatory slang term for a young, working-class Italian-American male, typically associated with an aggressive persona and a specific fashion style involving flashy clothing and groomed hair. Often considered an ethnic slur; use with extreme caution.

Examples

“He was tired of being called a guido just because of his style.”

“The reality show was criticized by some groups for promoting the guido stereotype as a representative image of Italian-American youth.”

“Sociologists have analyzed the guido subculture as a performance of hyper-masculinity and ethnic pride, though the term remains deeply polarizing and frequently offensive to the wider community.”

Examples

simple

“He was tired of being called a guido just because of his style.”

contextual

“The reality show was criticized by some groups for promoting the guido stereotype as a representative image of Italian-American youth.”

complex

“Sociologists have analyzed the guido subculture as a performance of hyper-masculinity and ethnic pride, though the term remains deeply polarizing and frequently offensive to the wider community.”

Usage

Primarily used in the Northeastern United States; carries a strong pejorative weight.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/guido

English Reference