guys

Guys is a plural noun and informal vocative widely used in English to address a group of people. It is most often used in casual conversation, as in “Hey guys, welcome.” The root word guy historically referred to a man and derives from Guy Fawkes; through the 18th to 20th centuries in American English it broadened to mean a fellow, and the plural “guys” came to denote groups of people. Today, “guys” is common in many varieties of English and is frequently used to address a mixed-gender audience, though it can retain gendered connotations.

Usage and attitudes vary by region and context. In North American informal speech, “guys” is widely used to address groups of any gender, but some people view it as biased or exclusionary in more formal or diverse settings. In other English-speaking regions, it may be heard less often or interpreted as gendered. Alternatives such as “everyone,” “folks,” “team,” or “you all” are used to avoid gender-specific language in certain contexts.

Notes: In formal writing, the term is generally avoided; in spoken language, speakers should consider their audience and local norms. The word is entrenched in modern popular culture and everyday speech, making it one of the most recognizable English vocatives.