guv

Examples

• All

• I own up it's a fair cop, guv; I'll never do it again.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Evening, guv; how can I help you tonight?

• - Good night, guv -

  The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)

• "How do we ever come, Guv?" the man asked.

  Fiction book (2002)

• -We were at cards, guv.

  Renegades (2022)

• I'm sorry, Guv, I can't do it.

  Sweeney! (1977)

• - All right, guv?

  The Sweeney (2012)

• Evening, guv.

  To Sir, with Love (1967)

• Spare some change, guv?

  Kinky Boots (2005)

• Petrol tank's full, guv.

  Ill Met by Moonlight (1957)

Synonyms

S

sir

vsguv

• Formal

∞ 1.0

A respectful way to speak to an adult man you do not know

is casual and British, used when speaking directly to an authority

M

Monsieur

vsguv

• Formal

196 7.8

A French title of respect for a man, like Mr in English

is an informal spoken British address used in direct speech

J

jefe

vsguv

• Informal

9 8.6

A friendly word people use to call a man they respect

is the informal British way to address an authority figure

G

guvnor

vsguv

• Slang

1 9.9

A person in charge at work who makes decisions

is used to address someone directly rather than describe their role

S

sarkar

vsguv

• Indian

9.9

A respectful word used to address someone in authority

is a casual British address rather than a formal respectful form

S

sayyid

vsguv

9.8

A respectful Arabic word used to politely address a man like sir

is informal and British, used casually rather than as a polite foreign title

Surface Forms

Etymology