Guest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Guest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is invited to visit or stay in a place, such as a hotel, event, or someone's home. Example: "We have a special guest joining us for dinner tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somehow, Jenkins then managed to introduce an endorsement for his bank from the Lord himself – or at least one of his representatives on Earth, in the form of the show's star guest, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury.

The Guardian - Business

I fundamentally believe that when all of this coalesces into a real political force it's not going to start like this – round a table, with a guest list, and a technocratic idea.

The Guardian

There will be guest presenters who I will introduce every Monday.

The Guardian

The Living Room on Glavni Square, one of the three main squares, serves guest ales from breweries such as Reservoir Dogs in western Slovenia.

The Guardian - Travel

Again, so thoughtful, so generous, he was asking me to be there as his guest.

The Guardian

A series of increasingly eye-catching screen roles followed, including Ada in the BBC's Bleak House, a guest shot on Doctor Who, the best friend in an ITV drama of another Austen, Northanger Abbey (playing second fiddle to Felicity Jones), and that stellar Seagull at the Royal Court, also in 2007.

The Guardian - Film

It sounds like a spoof: "The towels are rarely cleaned, the lightbulbs are replaced irregularly, the hotel water runs cold earlier than the guest would wish for... even the hotel sign saves energy by only having one letter lit up at night".

The Guardian - Travel

In the next few decades, Bergen was hardly ever off the small screen, however, as a guest star in series such as Dr Kildare and The Love Boat, and on game shows including Hollywood Squares and To Tell the Truth.

The Guardian - Film

After settling in Britain in 1966, Hornery also had guest roles on television in The Troubleshooters (1967), the sitcoms George and the Dragon (1966) and Dad's Army (1973), Doctor Who (1979), Sapphire & Steel (1981) and many other programmes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Lahiri is way too witty to be an actual ditz (see her failed romance with a skater bro, guest star Timothy Olyphant: "My body is very attracted to your body but when you speak, my brain gets angry"), and too optimistically hopeful to be truly loathsome.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He built up a repertory of 70 new works for the company, created by himself and an eclectic range of guest choreographers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In the context of broadcasts or performances, use "guest" to highlight the special or temporary nature of their appearance.

Common error

While "guest" is common, avoid using it excessively in formal documents. Opt for alternatives like "invitee" or "participant" when a more professional tone is required.

Linguistic Context

The word "Guest" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a recipient of hospitality or an invited visitor. It can also function as a verb, indicating an appearance as a guest. Ludwig confirms that this word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

20%

TV & Radio

15%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Business

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "Guest" is a versatile term with primary functions as a noun, referring to someone receiving hospitality, and as a verb, denoting a guest appearance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Its communicative purpose is to identify or refer to visitors, invitees, or performers. The usage ranges from neutral to formal depending on context. "Guest" is frequently found in News & Media and Travel articles. For similar meanings, alternatives include "visitor" and "invitee". When writing, remember to use "guest" to emphasize patronage in hospitality contexts, or to highlight temporary appearances in broadcasts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Visitor

A general term for someone who visits a place or person.

Invitee

Specifically refers to someone who has been invited.

Attendee

Someone present at a gathering or event.

Caller

Someone who makes a brief visit.

Visiting performer

Specifically for someone performing temporarily.

Participant

One who takes part in something.

Transient

Someone who stays for a short time.

Temporary resident

Someone residing temporarily at a location.

Boarder

Someone who pays for lodging and meals.

Inquiline

Referring to an animal that lives in the nest of another.

FAQs

How can I use "Guest" in a sentence?

You can use "Guest" as a noun to refer to a visitor or invitee, as in "We have a special guest joining us tonight". It can also be used as a verb, as in "She is guesting on the new album".

What are some alternatives to using the word "Guest"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "visitor", "invitee", "attendee", or "participant".

Is it correct to use "Guest" as a verb?

Yes, "Guest" can be used as a verb, particularly in the context of appearing as a guest performer or speaker, such as "He will be guesting on the show tonight".

What's the difference between "Guest" and "Visitor"?

"Guest" implies an invitation and a level of hospitality, while "visitor" is a more general term for someone who visits a place or person without necessarily implying an invitation or special treatment.