B1noun 1K

Guard

🇬🇧 UK /["/ɡɑːd/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ɡɑːrd/"]/

Meaning of Guard

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.

Guard in a sentence

• 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.

How to use Guard

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.

Related words

Collocations with Guard

• 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 for Guard

• protect
• shield
• watch
• defend
• secure

Opposites of Guard

• abandon
• release
• expose

Common mistakes with Guard

• 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.

Frequently asked questions about Guard

What does Guard mean?

To protect or keep safe.

What is the definition of Guard?

a person, such as a soldier, a police officer or a prison officer, who protects a place or people, or prevents prisoners from escaping

How do you use Guard in a sentence?

The guard stood at the entrance to the building.

Can you give another example of Guard?

They hired a guard to protect the museum from thieves.

What are synonyms for Guard?

Common alternatives include protect, shield, watch, defend, secure.

What is the opposite of Guard?

Opposite meanings include abandon, release, expose.

What words go with Guard?

It commonly pairs with 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.

What are common mistakes when using Guard?

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.

How do you pronounce Guard?

US: /["/ɡɑːrd/"]/, UK: /["/ɡɑːd/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Guard?

Use 'guard' when talking about protecting someone or something. It's appropriate in most contexts, but less common in casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Guard?

"Guard" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.