What does guying mean?
Guying is the present participle of guy and is used in two fairly distinct ways. In its most familiar sense, it means to mock, tease, or ridicule someone, usually as an informal and somewhat dismissive act. For example, a speaker might be accused of guying a proposal rather than seriously examining it. In nautical and technical language, guying means to fasten or steady something with a guy: a rope or wire that holds a mast, boom, or other structure in place. This technical sense is less common in everyday speech but important in maritime contexts. The contrast between social mockery and physical restraint gives the word an unusual range, although the two meanings are not normally treated as interchangeable. A learner should also distinguish guying from gaying, which has a different pronunciation and refers to homosexuality.
verbAs the present participle of guy, guying means to mock or make fun of someone. In nautical and technical contexts, it can also mean to secure or steady something with guys, meaning ropes or wires used to hold it in place.
- To mock, ridicule, or make fun of someone.
- To fasten, secure, or steady something with a guy, especially a rope or wire used in nautical or technical settings.
"The comedian spent the set guying politicians who mistook slogans for policy."
"Rather than addressing the criticism, he continued guying the interviewer."
"The crew spent several minutes guying the mast before the sails were raised."
Guying has two jobs: teasing a person and steadying a mast with ropes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does guying come from?
Guying is the present participle of guy. The verb has two separate historical paths: the mocking sense developed from the historical use of guy for a fellow or man, while the securing sense is associated with the nautical noun guy, a rope or wire used to hold something in place.
How guying is actually used
The mocking sense is informal and often dismissive. The fastening sense is chiefly associated with nautical and technical language.
Easily confused with guying
Guying means to mock someone or fasten something with ropes or wires, whereas gaying refers to homosexual activity or identity.