Dictionary Entry
guidelines
Part of SpeechnounPronunciationgai-linesWord FrequencyCommon (5.48)Curriculum FrequencyLess common (1)A non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behaviour.
In a Sentence
“He considered the Ten Commandments more a guideline than a requirement.”
Published Usage Examples
“At the heart of our guidelines is a simple idea that also informs the community standards governing user participation: interaction enriches stories, and staff as well as users have a part to play in ensuring the quality of engagement matches that of our journalism.”
“You must be a pirate for the Pirate's Code to apply and you're not, and the code is more of what you call guidelines than actual rules.”
This entry also appears in ReadingWillow Year 12 word lists, so students can move between the dictionary and year-level study sets.
Origin
Coined in the 20th century, from 'guide' (to lead) and 'line' (a mark or direction).
Common Phrases
Poetry examples for “guidelines”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Poetry examples are still being gathered for this entry. They will appear here once matching poems are available in the library.
