Phrase guide

on guard

adj · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Mid-Atlantic, US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

The starting position of a fencing bout.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: fencing, government, hobbies, lifestyle, martial-arts, military, politics, sports, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: en garde

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Vigilant, alert.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Transmitting on the aircraft emergency frequency.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: aeronautics, aerospace, aviation, business, engineering, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

vigilant

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • on guard against con artists
  • must remain on your guard in such a situation

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: on one's guard(p), upon one's guard(p), on your guard

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: en garde — on alert, vigilant
  • Māori: whakahiwa — on alert, vigilant
  • Polish: but see mieć się na baczności — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: estar al pedo — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: alerta — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: espabilado — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: despabilado — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: con la guardia en alto — on alert, vigilant
  • Spanish: con la guardia arriba — on alert, vigilant
  • Unami: kwèxsi — on alert, vigilant