guard
gb/ɡˈɑɹd/ us/ɡˈɑɹd/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person who protects
A person who watches and keeps people or things safe.
Usage pattern:
a [security/prison] guard
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'guard' (the person) with 'guard' as a verb (to protect).
Synonyms
security officer (More formal term, often used in professional settings.)
Antonyms
intruder (An intruder is someone who enters a place without permission, the opposite role of a guard.)
Collocations
security guard
|prison guard
|guard on duty
|armed guard
Themes
security
|law
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The museum guard asked us not to touch the exhibits.
- A guard stood at the entrance to check IDs.
- The prison guard escorted the inmate back to his cell.
Learner examples
- The guard is at the door.
- A guard works at the bank.
- I see a guard in the park.
Verb
B1
action
2
protect from harm or danger
To watch and keep someone or something safe.
Usage pattern:
to guard [something/someone] from [danger/threat]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'guard' without an object when they mean 'be careful'. In that case 'be careful' or 'watch out' is more natural.
Synonyms
protect (More general term; 'guard' implies active watching or defending.)
Antonyms
endanger (To put in danger, the opposite of guarding.)
Collocations
guard against error
|guard the entrance
|guard one's privacy
Themes
security
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- Soldiers guarded the border day and night.
- You should guard your personal information online.
- A dog was trained to guard the house.
Learner examples
- The dog guards the farm.
- He guards the door at night.
- We guard our money.
Noun
B1
entity
3
protective device or cover
Something that covers and protects part of your body or an object.
Usage pattern:
a [machine/body] guard
Synonyms
shield (A broader term for something that blocks harm, not always physical equipment.)
Antonyms
exposure (The state of being unprotected.)
Collocations
mouth guard
|rail guard
|finger guard
Themes
safety
|tools
|technology
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Always wear a mouth guard when playing hockey.
- The machine has a safety guard to prevent accidents.
- He installed a rail guard for the stairs.
Learner examples
- I wear a mouth guard for sport.
- The fan has a guard on it.
- The stairs have a guard.
Verb
B1
action
4
control access to something
To watch and stop people from coming in or out without permission.
Usage pattern:
to guard [a place/person] against [intruders/visitors]
Synonyms
patrol (Suggests moving around to monitor an area rather than staying still.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to watch over or control access.)
Collocations
guard the entrance
|guard the president
Themes
security
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Police guarded the crime scene until investigators arrived.
- They guarded the celebrity from fans and photographers.
- The gate was guarded at all times.
Learner examples
- Two men guard the door.
- They guard the king.
- He guards the gate.
Noun
B2
entity
5
defensive sports position
A player in sports who tries to stop the other team and may start attacks.
Synonyms
defender (General term for a defensive player; 'guard' is specific to certain sports.)
Collocations
point guard
|shooting guard
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She plays as a point guard on her basketball team.
- The shooting guard scored 20 points in the game.
- He was drafted as an offensive guard in football.
Learner examples
- He is a point guard.
- She is a guard in basketball.
- The guard passed the ball.
Grammar
Dictionary form
guard
IPA
GB/ɡˈɑɹd/
US/ɡˈɑɹd/
Syllables & stress
guard (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (guard)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: guard
- Plural: guard, guards
Verb
- Base: guard
- 3rd Person Singular: guards
- Present Participle: guarding
- Past: guarded
Word family
Expressions
drop your guard
1/dɹˈɑp jˈʊɹ ɡˈɑɹd/
idiom
stop protecting yourself too soon/carelessly
To stop being careful about danger before it is safe to do so.
Examples
- He dropped his guard and got caught off balance.
- Don't drop your guard until we are sure it's safe.
guard against
1/ɡˈɑɹd əɡˈɛnst/
phrasal verb
take action to prevent harm
To be careful so that something bad does not happen.
Examples
- We must guard against complacency.
- You should guard against mistakes by double-checking your work.
let your guard down
1/lˈɛt jˈʊɹ ɡˈɑɹd dˈaʊn/
idiom
stop being careful or alert
To relax and not be careful about danger or problems anymore.
Examples
- She never lets her guard down when dealing with strangers.
- I let my guard down and got tricked.
on guard
1/ˈɔn ɡˈɑɹd/
fixed phrase
being watchful for danger
Ready and watching for possible problems or danger.
Examples
- The soldiers were on guard all night.
- You must always be on guard against scams.
stand guard
1/stˈænd ɡˈɑɹd/
fixed phrase
stay in place to protect
To stay in one place to protect someone or something.
Examples
- Two police officers stood guard outside the building.
- He stood guard at the gate all night.