Guess vs. Guest: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 2023
"Guess" refers to forming an opinion or conclusion without certain knowledge, while "Guest" is a person who is invited to visit or attend an event as a recipient of hospitality.
Key Differences
"Guess" and "Guest" are English words that serve completely different functions within the language. "Guess" is primarily a verb, used when one forms an opinion or estimation about something without sufficient information or concrete knowledge. On the other hand, "Guest" is a noun, referring to someone who is invited to a place or an event, typically implying that this person is not a regular member or resident of that place or event.
"Guess" can also be used as a noun, representing the act of forming an opinion or estimation without concrete knowledge. It often implies uncertainty and a degree of speculation. In contrast, "Guest," as a noun, represents certainty and definition, referring specifically to a person who is received and entertained at the home of another or is participating in an event or visiting a place by invitation.
The word "Guess" generally invokes thoughts of speculation, hypothesis, and uncertainty. It’s associated with the act of estimating or presuming something in the absence of concrete evidence or definitive knowledge. Conversely, "Guest" invokes thoughts of hospitality, invitation, and attendance. It is associated with someone being welcomed into a space or event where they are not a regular or permanent member.
"Guess" is subjective and depends largely on an individual’s perspective, intuition, and previous knowledge. It's something that can be right or wrong, depending on whether it aligns with reality or factual information. "Guest," however, is objective and factual, referring to an individual who has been invited to attend or visit, and their status as a guest is not dependent on perspective or interpretation.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily a verb, can also be a noun.
Noun.
ADVERTISEMENT
Definition
Forming an opinion without certain knowledge.
A person invited to visit or attend an event.
Associated Concepts
Uncertainty, estimation, speculation.
Invitation, hospitality, attendance.
Nature
Subjective, can be either right or wrong.
Objective and factual.
Context of Use
Associated with the act of estimating or presuming
Associated with someone being welcomed.
Guess and Guest Definitions
Guess
An act of predicting without sufficient evidence.
My guess is that it will rain tomorrow.
ADVERTISEMENT
Guest
A person entertained in one's home.
We're having guests over for dinner tonight.
Guess
An estimate or assumption.
I had to guess the number of beans in the jar.
Guest
A person who receives special treatment or honor.
As an honored guest, she sat at the head of the table.
Guess
A supposition or conjecture.
If I had to guess, she's probably at the store.
Guest
A person invited to participate or attend an event.
We have a guest speaker at today's seminar.
Guess
To predict (a result or an event) without sufficient information.
Guest
Someone staying temporarily in a place of accommodation.
The hotel has a capacity for 100 guests.
Guess
To assume, presume, or assert (a fact) without sufficient information.
Guest
One who is a recipient of hospitality at the home or table of another.
Guess
To form a correct estimate or conjecture of
Guessed the answer.
Guest
One to whom entertainment or hospitality has been extended by another in the role of host or hostess, as at a party.
Guess
To suppose; think
I guess he was wrong.
Guest
One who pays for meals or accommodations at a restaurant, hotel, or other establishment; a patron.
Guess
To make an estimate or conjecture
We could only guess at her motives.
Guest
A distinguished visitor to whom the hospitality of an institution, city, or government is extended.
Guess
To estimate or conjecture correctly.
Guest
A visiting performer, speaker, or contestant, as on a radio or television program.
Guess
An act or instance of guessing.
Guest
(Zoology) A commensal organism, especially an insect that lives in the nest or burrow of another species.
Guess
A conjecture arrived at by guessing.
Guest
To entertain as a guest.
Guess
To reach a partly (or totally) unqualified conclusion.
Guest
To appear as a guest
Guested on a television series.
Guess
To solve by a correct conjecture; to conjecture rightly.
He who guesses the riddle shall have the ring.
Guest
Provided for guests
Guest rooms.
Guess
To suppose (introducing a proposition of uncertain plausibility).
That album is quite hard to find, but I guess you could try ordering it online.
Guest
Participating as a guest
A guest conductor.
Guess
(colloquial) To think, conclude, or decide (without a connotation of uncertainty). Usually in first person: "I guess".
"I guess you were right." "What did he say?" "He guesses you were right."
"I guess I'll go to bed."
Guest
A recipient of hospitality, especially someone staying by invitation at the house of another.
The guests were let in by the butler.
Guess
(obsolete) To hit upon or reproduce by memory.
Guest
A patron or customer in a hotel etc.
Guests must vacate their rooms by 10 o'clock on their day of departure.
Guess
A prediction about the outcome of something, typically made without factual evidence or support.
If you don't know the answer, take a guess.
Guest
An invited visitor or performer to an institution or to a broadcast.
The guest for the broadcast was a leading footballer.
Guess
To form an opinion concerning, without knowledge or means of knowledge; to judge of at random; to conjecture.
First, if thou canst, the harder reason guess.
Guest
(computing) A user given temporary access to a system despite not having an account of their own.
Guess
To judge or form an opinion of, from reasons that seem preponderating, but are not decisive.
We may then guess how far it was from his design.
Of ambushed men, whom, by their arms and dress,To be Taxallan enemies I guess.
Guest
(zoology) Any insect that lives in the nest of another without compulsion and usually not as a parasite.
Guess
To solve by a correct conjecture; to conjecture rightly; as, he who guesses the riddle shall have the ring; he has guessed my designs.
Guest
(zoology) An inquiline.
Guess
To hit upon or reproduce by memory.
Tell me their words, as near as thou canst guess them.
Guest
(intransitive) to appear as a guest, especially on a broadcast
Guess
To think; to suppose; to believe; to imagine; - followed by an objective clause.
Not all together; better far, I guess,That we do make our entrance several ways.
But in known images of life I guessThe labor greater.
Guest
(intransitive) as a musician, to play as a guest, providing an instrument that a band/orchestra does not normally have in its line up (for instance, percussion in a string band)
Guess
To make a guess or random judgment; to conjecture; - with at, about, etc.
This is the place, as well as I may guess.
Guest
To receive or entertain hospitably.
Guess
An opinion as to anything, formed without sufficient or decisive evidence or grounds; an attempt to hit upon the truth by a random judgment; a conjecture; a surmise.
A poet must confessHis art 's like physic - but a happy guess.
Guest
A visitor; a person received and entertained in one's house or at one's table; a visitor entertained without pay.
To cheer his guests, whom he had stayed that night.
True friendship's laws are by this rule exprest.Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
Guess
A message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
Guest
A lodger or a boarder at a hotel, lodging house, or boarding house.
Guess
An estimate based on little or no information
Guest
Any insect that lives in the nest of another without compulsion and usually not as a parasite.
Guess
Expect, believe, or suppose;
I imagine she earned a lot of money with her new novel
I thought to find her in a bad state
He didn't think to find her in the kitchen
I guess she is angry at me for standing her up
Guest
To receive or entertain hospitably.
Guess
Put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation;
I am guessing that the price of real estate will rise again
I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong
Guest
To be, or act the part of, a guest.
And tell me, best of princes, who he wasThat guested here so late.
Guess
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
Guest
A visitor to whom hospitality is extended
Guess
Guess correctly; solve by guessing;
He guessed the right number of beans in the jar and won the prize
Guest
United States journalist (born in England) noted for his syndicated homey verse (1881-1959)
Guess
An act of solving through trial and error.
It took me three guesses to get the password right.
Guest
A customer of a hotel or restaurant etc.
Guess
A belief or judgment based on little information.
It's only a guess, but I think he's around 30 years old.
Guest
(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
Guest
Staying temporarily;
A visiting foreigner
Guest conductor
Guest
An outsider or non-regular member present in a group or place.
He was a guest on the radio show.
FAQs
Is every "Guest" a stranger?
No, a "Guest" could be a friend, family member, or acquaintance invited for a specific occasion or purpose.
Is a "Guest" always someone invited?
Typically, yes. A "Guest" is often someone invited or entertained in a specific setting.
Are "Guess" and "Guest" homophones?
No, while they sound similar, they have different pronunciations and meanings.
Can you "Guess" a "Guest's" preferences?
Yes, you can make a supposition or prediction about a guest's preferences.
Is a "Guess" always uncertain?
A "Guess" is typically made without complete information, implying a degree of uncertainty.
Can a "Guess" be accurate?
Yes, even though guesses are made without complete information, they can sometimes be accurate.
Can one be a "Guest" at their own home?
It’s unusual, but if someone is receiving special treatment in their home, they might humorously be referred to as a "Guest".
Can "Guess" be both a verb and noun?
Yes, "Guess" can be an action (verb) or the result of that action (noun).
Can a "Guest" be non-human?
Yes, for instance, one might refer to a dog visiting a home as a "Guest".
Which word is older, "Guess" or "Guest"?
Both words have ancient origins, but "Guest", referring to a visitor, has older roots in Old English.
Can a "Guess" be educated?
Yes, an educated guess is made based on some knowledge or information, making it more likely to be correct.
How does a "Guest" behave?
A guest typically behaves politely and respectfully, abiding by the norms and rules of the host.
Is it polite to "Guess" someone's age?
Generally, it is considered impolite to guess someone’s age as it might lead to uncomfortable situations.
Can a "Guest" be unwelcome?
While "Guest" typically implies invitation, it can be used ironically or euphemistically to refer to unwelcome persons.
Can you improve your ability to "Guess"?
Yes, by gaining more knowledge and experience, you can make more informed and likely accurate guesses.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
