guv

G2U1V4

noun

A form of address to a man, usually a stranger or a superior.

“Right away, guv... I mean, sarge.”

Similar
matebossguv'nor
UncommonScrabble 7
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Meanings

guv1

nounguv (plural guvs)

plural guvs · alternative gov

  1. IrelandLondonUKinformalA form of address to a man, usually a stranger or a superior.

    Right away, guv... I mean, sarge.

    1 more example

    Spare two quid, guv? I 'aven't eaten since yesterday.

    Synonyms: mate

  2. UKinformalA male prison officer.

    We cover up the window so the guvs can't see us.

GUV2

nounGUV (uncountable)
  1. abbreviationinitialismuncountableInitialism of germicidal ultraviolet.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA form of address to a man, usually a stranger or a superior.

Similar
mate
Similar
bossguv'nor
Also see
fingergovjohn

Origin

Alternative phonetic spelling of gov, short for governor.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech šéfe, šéfíku
  • šéfeform of address
  • šéfíkuform of address
French chef, patron
  • chefform of address
  • patronform of address
Hungarian főnök
  • főnökform of address
Polish kierownik, kierowniczka
  • kierownikform of address
  • kierowniczkaform of address
Swedish grabben
  • grabbenform of address

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

vug
Cite this entry
APA

guv. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guv

MLA

“guv.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guv. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “guv,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/guv.

Source: guv on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.