guidance

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Help and advice that a more experienced person gives to someone to steer their choices or actions.

   Grammar: Never takes 'a' or a plural: some guidance, a piece of guidance.

   Patterns

   • guidance on something
   • guidance from someone
   • under the guidance of someone

   The new interns received guidance from senior staff during their first week.

   She sought guidance on which course to take.

   Under the guidance of a patient teacher, he learned to play the cello.

2. 2noununcountable

   Official instructions or recommendations about how something should be done, issued by an organization.

   Grammar: Often used for formal rules or advice: government guidance, safety guidance.

   Patterns

   • guidance on something
   • issue guidance

   The ministry issued new guidance on school safety.

   Check the official guidance before you apply for the grant.

   Doctors follow clinical guidance when prescribing the medicine.

3. 3noununcountabletechnical

   The system or process that steers a missile, vehicle or spacecraft toward its target or along its path.

   Grammar: Often in compounds such as guidance system.

   Patterns

   • guidance system

   The rocket's guidance system corrected its course twice.

   Engineers tested the guidance software before the launch.

   Satellite guidance helps ships stay on the planned route.

Common combinations

seek guidance

Many first-time buyers seek guidance from a mortgage adviser.

provide guidance

The handbook provides guidance on how to write a report.

career guidance

The school offers career guidance to older students.

under the guidance of

The project was completed under the guidance of a professor.

official guidance

Follow the official guidance when you travel abroad.

Synonyms and how they differ

advice

Advice is a single suggestion or opinion, whereas guidance suggests ongoing support that steers you step by step.

direction

Direction can mean orders or a course to follow, so it is more controlling than guidance, which leaves the choice to you.

counsel

Counsel is more formal and often used for serious, personal or legal matters.

instruction

Instruction tells you exactly what to do, while guidance is softer and more general.

Opposites

Word family

guide verb

to show or lead someone along a path or process

guide noun

a person or book that shows the way

guided adjective

led or directed by someone or something

guideline noun

a rule or piece of advice about how to act

Commonly confused: guidance or guidelines?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “guidance”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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