guest
/ɡest/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡˈɛst] /ɡest/ (ame, ipa) · [ɡˈɛst] /ˈgest/ (ame, mw)
guest — noun
- guestsingular
- guestsplural
1. someone you ask to come to your home or to a social gathering that you are hosti
someone you ask to come to your home or to a social gathering that you are hosting
Esteban brought a bottle of wine when he came as a guest to dinner.
guest + at + event (dinner)
The hotel can seat up to two hundred wedding guests in its main hall.
modifier before guest (wedding guests)
We have three guests staying overnight, so I need to prepare the spare room.
Aunt Zuri always makes her guests feel comfortable with tea and warm conversation.
- host
the person who invites and receives the guest
文法句型
guest + of + person
guest + at + event
用法筆記
A guest is someone who has been invited. A 'visitor' may arrive without an invitation. The phrase 'be my guest' means 'please go ahead' when giving permission.
常見錯誤
2. someone using a hotel, restaurant, bar, or café as a paying customer
someone using a hotel, restaurant, bar, or café as a paying customer
Hotel guests can use the swimming pool and fitness centre free of charge.
modifier before guest (hotel guests)
The waiter asked each guest whether they wanted still or sparkling water.
All guests must check out by eleven o'clock in the morning.
Complimentary breakfast is served to hotel guests between seven and nine.
The hotel guest left her key at the front desk and went out to explore the city.
- host
the business or person providing the service
文法句型
hotel/restaurant + guest
guest + of + establishment
用法筆記
In hospitality settings (hotels, inns), 'guest' is preferred over 'customer' because it implies a relationship of welcome and service, not just a transaction.
常見錯誤
3. anybody allowed temporary access to a club, website, or organisation without bei
anybody allowed temporary access to a club, website, or organisation without being an official member
Non-members can visit the sports club as guests for a small daily fee.
as + guest (role construction)
The website allows guests to browse products without creating an account.
digital context: guest + website
Sivan brought a friend as a guest to the yoga studio when the policy allowed it.
As a guest on the forum, you can read discussions but cannot post new topics.
- visitor
common in digital contexts; less formal
- non-member
describes the status directly; less polite
- member
a person who has full, regular access
文法句型
guest + of + club/site
guest + user
用法筆記
This sense is common in digital contexts (guest user, guest checkout) and club membership policies. The guest typically has limited access compared to a full member.
4. an entertainer, expert, or speaker appearing on a show or at an event by invitat
an entertainer, expert, or speaker appearing on a show or at an event by invitation, not as a regular participant
A famous chef appeared as a guest on a morning show to demonstrate pasta recipes.
guest + on + show
The university invited a guest speaker from Japan to talk about renewable energy.
guest + noun modifier (guest speaker)
The band invited a guest singer to join them for the final song of the concert.
Amelia was a guest lecturer at the conference and answered questions for an hour.
- special guest
emphasises that the person is a highlight of the event
- guest star
specific to entertainment, especially TV and music
- host
the regular presenter or organiser of the programme
文法句型
guest + noun (speaker/star/lecturer)
guest + on + show/programme
用法筆記
When used before another noun (guest speaker, guest star, guest lecturer), the compound word functions as a modifier. The person is not a permanent member of the programme or organisation.
常見錯誤
5. an animal, insect, or plant living somewhere it is considered a nuisance, such a
an animal, insect, or plant living somewhere it is considered a nuisance, such as inside a house or in a garden
A family of mice became unwelcome guests in the kitchen during the cold winter months.
figurative: unwelcome guest
The gardener found tiny green caterpillars as uninvited guests on the rose bushes.
Ants can become persistent guests in a home once they discover a source of food.
The landlord called an exterminator to deal with the unwanted guests nesting in the attic.
文法句型
unwelcome/uninvited + guest
guest + in + place
用法筆記
This is a figurative or metaphorical use of 'guest'. It is commonly used in British nature writing and home-maintenance contexts. The collocation 'unwelcome guest' is the most frequent pattern.
guest — verb
- guestpresent simple I / you / we / they
- guests3rd person singular
- guesting-ing form
- guestedpast simple
1. to take part in a television programme, radio show, or podcast as an invited par
to take part in a television programme, radio show, or podcast as an invited participant rather than a regular host or cast member
The singer will guest on a late-night talk show to promote her new album.
guest + on + show (TV)
Several well-known authors guested on the literary podcast during its first season.
past tense: guested + on
Dr. Andrei has guested on various programmes, discussing his research on coral reef conservation.
The comedian guested in three episodes of a sitcom before joining the main cast.
文法句型
guest + on + programme/show
用法筆記
This is an informal verb. In formal writing, it is more common to use 'appear as a guest' or 'be a guest on'. The verb is always intransitive — it cannot take a direct object.