Words / B1

GYDL-yn/ˈɡaɪdlaɪn/

A guideline is official advice about how to do something: follow the guidelines; safety guidelines; government guidelines. A rule must be obeyed; a guideline is usually strong advice, not always law. Advice is more personal and less official. Follow / issue / publish guidelines. Guideline is often plural. Do not write “a guideline to do” — use guidelines on / for + noun, or on how to + verb.

Meaning

Official advice about how to do something.

Examples

• “Follow the safety guidelines in the lab.”
• “The government published guidelines for healthy eating.”
• “The school issued new guidelines on mobile phones.”

Good to know

follow / issue guidelines. guidelines on / for. Stronger obligation: rule. Personal: advice. Often plural.

Near in meaning

rule

New