guac: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium to High (in informal, particularly US, contexts related to food).Informal, casual, slang. Common in spoken language and informal written contexts (e.g., text messages, social media). Rare in formal writing.
Quick answer
What does “guac” mean?
a short, informal term for guacamole, a thick dip or spread made primarily from mashed avocados, often with added lime juice, onion, coriander/cilantro, and chilli.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a short, informal term for guacamole, a thick dip or spread made primarily from mashed avocados, often with added lime juice, onion, coriander/cilantro, and chilli.
Used informally to refer to the avocado-based dish, often implying casual or shared food contexts. Can sometimes be used metonymically to represent casual socialising or snack culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in the UK due to global cuisine, but is far less frequent than in the US. "Guacamole" is the dominant, standard term in British English. In American English, "guac" is a very common, casual shorthand, especially in advertising, menus, and casual speech.
Connotations
US: Casual, convenient, trendy, associated with Tex-Mex/Mexican-inspired casual dining, sports events, and shared snacks. UK: Primarily a borrowed Americanism, retains a slightly trendy or specific culinary association. May sound consciously informal or American.
Frequency
Very high in casual American English; low to medium in British English, where the full form is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “guac” in a Sentence
[Subject] loves/makes/buys guac.[Subject] has [Object] with guac.Let's get/order [some] guac.This needs more guac.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unlikely, except in the food/restaurant industry in marketing or informal internal communication (e.g., "Need to update the cost for guac on the menu.").
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
High frequency in informal situations discussing food, meals, snacks, parties, and dining out. (e.g., "Shall we get some chips and guac to start?").
Technical
Not used in technical contexts outside of specific culinary discussions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guac”
- Using "a guac" (incorrect, it's a mass noun).
- Misspelling as "gwac" or "guak".
- Using it in formal writing where "guacamole" is required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real, established informal word—a clipped form of 'guacamole.' It appears in many modern dictionaries as an informal variant.
It is understood but sounds American. In the UK, 'guacamole' is the standard term in both formal and informal situations. Using 'guac' might be seen as affected or deliberately using American slang.
It is uncountable, like the word 'guacamole.' You say 'some guac' or 'a lot of guac,' not 'a guac' or 'two guacs.'
There is no difference in meaning—they refer to the same food. The difference is in register: 'guacamole' is the standard, full term used in all contexts, while 'guac' is a casual, informal abbreviation used primarily in speech and informal writing.
a short, informal term for guacamole, a thick dip or spread made primarily from mashed avocados, often with added lime juice, onion, coriander/cilantro, and chilli.
Guac is usually informal, casual, slang. common in spoken language and informal written contexts (e.g., text messages, social media). rare in formal writing. in register.
Guac: in British English it is pronounced /ɡwæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡwɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All about that guac. (informal, playful)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "GUAC" is what you shout when you ACCidentally drop an AVOCADO into a bowl – "GUAC! Amole!" (a playful take on 'guacamole').
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMALITY IS SHORTENING (of a word); SOCIALISING IS SHARING FOOD (often involving guac).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'guac' be LEAST appropriate?