Cool MateGuard
UK /["/ɡɑːd/"]/US /["/ɡɑːrd/"]/
Definition
a person, such as a soldier, a police officer or a prison officer, who protects a place or people, or prevents prisoners from escaping
In simple words: To protect or keep safe.
Examples
- The guard stood at the entrance to the building.
- They hired a guard to protect the museum from thieves.
- He decided to guard his secrets closely from everyone.
- During the game, the coach instructed the team to guard their opponents tightly.
- The security guard checked all bags entering the event.
Usage notes
Use 'guard' when talking about protecting someone or something. It's appropriate in most contexts, but less common in casual conversations.
Grammar pattern
guard + object
Memory hint
Think of a 'guard' standing tall and strong like a knight defending a castle.
Collocations
- armed
- uniformed
- border
- post
- station
- patrol something
- protect something
- escort somebody
- duty
- dog
- close
- 24-hour
- constant
- off (your) guard
- on (your) guard
- under guard
- drop your guard
- keep guard of something
- keep your guard up
- civil
- national
- palace
- change
- call out
- guard of honour/honor
- civil
- national
- palace
- change
- call out
- guard of honour/honor
- trigger
- fire
- shin
Synonyms
- protect
- shield
- watch
- defend
- secure
Antonyms
- abandon
- release
- expose
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'warden' — a guard protects but a warden manages.
- Using 'guard' without an object — always specify what is being guarded.
- Mixing up 'guard' with 'greet' — they have different meanings.