guidebook

guidebook — noun

1. a small book or electronic guide with facts, maps, and recommendations to help p

1.nounA2
Definition

a small book or electronic guide with facts, maps, and recommendations to help people learn about a city, region, or country when visiting it

Example

Before their trip to Kyoto, Aiko bought a guidebook about the city.

collocation: guidebook + about [place]

This guidebook has a helpful map of all the museums in Rome.

Common collocations
  • buy a guidebook
  • check a guidebook
  • guidebook recommends
  • guidebook about [place]
  • guidebook to [place]
Synonyms
  • travel guide

    often used for digital or app-based versions; slightly more informal

  • guide

    shorter form; can also refer to a person who shows visitors around

  • handbook

    broader meaning — covers any subject, not just travel

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A guidebook is specifically a printed or digital resource for travelers exploring a place — it contains maps, restaurant tips, and sightseeing recommendations. A travel guide is essentially the same but leans toward a broader reference series or digital format. A handbook covers any topic (e.g., a car repair handbook or a gardening handbook) and is not tied to travel. The word guide on its own is the shortest equivalent; however, it can also mean a person who leads tours. For example, you would say 'I bought a guidebook for my trip to Lisbon' but 'The tour guide showed us the old town.' Choosing the right term depends on whether the focus is location-based travel information (guidebook/travel guide) or general instruction (handbook).

guidebook ↗travel guidehandbook ↗guide ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchOld EnglishEnglish

Formed by combining 'guide' (from Old French 'guider', meaning to lead or direct) and 'book' (from Old English 'bōc'). The compound 'guidebook' came into use in the early 1800s, when travel for leisure became more common and travelers needed printed resources with practical information about destinations.