Guidelines — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈgīd-ˌlīn/ guide·line

Meaning & Definition of Guidelines

Guidelines (noun)

  1. a line by which one is guided
  2. a cord or rope to aid a passer over a difficult point or to permit retracing a course
  3. an indication or outline of policy or conduct

Guidelines (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something usually in writing that shows or tells how something should be done

    "The government has issued new guidelines for following a healthy and balanced diet."

    "Here are some basic guidelines for helping you choose a dishwasher."

    similar: blueprints, canons, formulas, guides, standards, bylaws, ground rules, regs, regulations, rules, codes, constitutions, decalogues, directories, acts, laws, ordinances, statutes, behests, charges, commandments, commands, decrees, dictates, directions, directives, edicts, fiats, instructions, orders, axioms, fundamentals, maxims, precepts, morals, principles, values, bans, interdictions, prohibitions, proscriptions, restrictions, conventions, customs, habits, manners, mores, practices, traditions, ways

Related Entry: Guideline (noun)

Guideline is a different word from Guidelines. The synonyms below are for guideline, not for guidelines.

  1. something usually in writing that shows or tells how something should be done

    "The government has issued new guidelines for following a healthy and balanced diet."

    "Here are some basic guidelines for helping you choose a dishwasher."

    similar: blueprint, canon, formula, guide, standard, bylaw, ground rule, reg, regulation, rule, code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, tradition, way

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Guidelines

The most common words with a similar meaning to Guidelines:

blueprints, canons, formulas, guides, standards, bylaws, ground rules, regs, regulations, rules, codes, constitutions, decalogues, directories, acts, laws, ordinances, statutes, behests, charges, commandments, commands, decrees, dictates, directions, directives, edicts, fiats, instructions, orders, axioms, fundamentals, maxims, precepts, morals, principles, values, bans, interdictions, prohibitions

Origin & Etymology of Guidelines

First known use: 1785

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions about Guidelines

What does "Guidelines" mean?

"Guidelines" means a line by which one is guided. As a noun, it is defined as: a line by which one is guided.

What is another word for "Guidelines"?

Other words for "Guidelines" include blueprints, canons, formulas, guides, standards, bylaws, ground rules and regs. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Guidelines" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Guidelines"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Guidelines". Common alternatives include blueprints, canons, formulas, guides, standards, bylaws, ground rules, regs, regulations and rules.

How do you use "Guidelines" in a sentence?

Examples of "Guidelines" in a sentence: "The government has issued new guidelines for following a healthy and balanced diet."; "Here are some basic guidelines for helping you choose a dishwasher.".

Is "Guidelines" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Guidelines" is a noun.

Is "Guidelines" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Guidelines"?

"Guidelines" is pronounced /ˈgīd-ˌlīn/ and divided into syllables as guide·line.

What is the origin of the word "Guidelines"?

First known use: 1785.