Context is everything. You’re standing in a boardroom, and you address the group as "guys." Maybe it lands fine. Or maybe, just maybe, the room goes slightly cold because half the executives are women who don't exactly feel like "one of the guys." On the flip side, try calling your drinking buddies "gentlemen" at a dive bar. You’ll get laughed out of the building. Finding another word for guys isn't just about being a walking thesaurus; it’s about reading the room before you even open your mouth.
Language evolves. Fast. What worked in a 90s sitcom feels clunky or even a bit rude in 2026.
The Problem With "Guys" in the Modern Office
We’ve all done it. It’s a habit. "Hey guys, let’s look at these numbers." It feels gender-neutral to a lot of people, especially in North America. But linguists like Deborah Tannen have pointed out for years that "masculine generics" aren't actually as inclusive as we think they are. When we use "guys" to describe a mixed-gender group, we are subconsciously centering men as the default human.
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That might sound like "woke" overthinking, but in a professional setting, it’s about precision. If you’re leading a team, you want everyone to feel seen. If you use another word for guys that actually includes everyone, you remove that tiny, microscopic friction that happens when a woman or non-binary person hears themselves referred to as a "guy."
It’s about respect. It’s about being a better communicator.
Honestly, it’s just more creative. Using the same word over and over is boring. Your emails start to look like they were written by a script. Break out of the loop.
Formal Alternatives That Don't Sound Stiff
If you’re looking for another word for guys because you’re writing a formal email or giving a presentation, "gentlemen" is the obvious classic. But use it carefully. It’s very gender-specific. If you know for a fact you are addressing a group of men, it’s great. It adds a layer of class.
But what if you need something professional yet inclusive?
- Colleagues: This is the gold standard for office life. It’s respectful. It defines the relationship immediately.
- Team: Use this when you want to build morale. It implies everyone is working toward a single goal.
- Partners: Great for external clients or high-level collaborators.
- Associates: A bit more corporate, maybe even a little cold, but very safe.
Think about the vibe of your company. A tech startup in Austin is going to have a very different "vibe check" than a law firm in London. In the startup, "team" works perfectly. At the law firm, you might stick to "everyone" or "all."
The Casual Shift: How We Talk Now
Let’s get away from the office for a second. You’re with friends. You’re at a concert. You’re just hanging out. Using "colleagues" here would make you sound like a robot trying to pass for human.
You need another word for guys that feels lived-in.
"Folks" has had a massive comeback lately. It’s warm. It’s gender-neutral. It feels a bit like a hug from a friendly neighbor. Even former President Barack Obama used "folks" constantly in his speeches to bridge the gap between "politician" and "regular person." It works.
Then you’ve got "y'all."
Look, I know if you aren't from the South, you might feel like an impostor saying it. But "y'all" is arguably the most efficient plural pronoun in the English language. It’s clear. It’s inclusive. It’s one syllable. Give it a shot. You might be surprised how quickly it sticks.
If you’re in a more "internet-native" crowd, "peeps" is still kicking around, though it feels a bit 2010. "Everyone" is the safe bet. "Friends" is better if you actually like the people you're talking to.
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When "Gents" or "Fellas" Makes Sense
Sometimes you are just talking to men. In those cases, leaning into the masculinity of the group can actually be a bonding tool.
"Fellas" has a nostalgic, almost cinematic quality to it. It’s what you say when you’re about to start a road trip or share a secret. It’s informal but carries a certain weight of brotherhood.
"Gents" is the shorthand version of gentlemen. It’s fantastic for a quick check-in. "Alright gents, we heading out?" It’s snappy. It’s polite. It doesn't feel as stuffy as the full word.
But a word of caution: don't use these if there’s even one person in the group who doesn't identify as a man. It’s a fast way to make someone feel excluded, even if you didn't mean it.
The Regional Flavor of "Guys" Alternatives
English is weird. Depending on where you land on a map, the word you use for a group of people changes entirely.
In Pittsburgh, you’ll hear "yinz."
In Chicago, "you guys" is almost a single word.
In parts of England, it’s "mates" or "lads."
In Australia, "everyone" often gets swapped for "everyone" or "mates."
Using these regionalisms is a double-edged sword. If you’re a local, it’s your natural tongue. If you’re a visitor, using another word for guys that’s local can either make you seem like you’re trying too hard or like you’ve really done your homework. Usually, it’s better to stick to your own natural dialect rather than "code-switching" poorly.
Why Gender-Neutral Language is Winning
We live in a world that is increasingly aware of non-binary identities. This isn't just a social media trend; it’s a shift in how we perceive human identity. Because of this, the search for another word for guys has moved toward neutrality.
Common gender-neutral options include:
- Everyone / Everybody: Simple, impossible to get wrong, and fits every situation.
- Friends: Great for social settings where you want to emphasize a bond.
- Folks: As mentioned, it’s the ultimate "friendly" neutral.
- You all: The formal version of y'all.
- Peers: Specifically for people at your same level or age.
When you use gender-neutral language, you aren't "losing" anything. You’re actually gaining the ability to speak to 100% of your audience rather than just a portion of it.
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Misconceptions About "Guys"
A lot of people argue that "guys" is already gender-neutral. They’ll point to the fact that women use it with each other. "Hey guys, what are we doing tonight?"
While that’s true in casual speech, the perception of the word is different. If you ask a kid to "draw a guy," they will almost always draw a male figure. They won't draw a woman. This proves that the word still carries a heavy masculine weight in our brains.
Switching to another word for guys isn't about being "correct." It’s about being accurate. If the group isn't all men, why use a male-centric word?
Practical Steps to Update Your Vocabulary
Changing how you talk is hard. Your brain has these deep grooves worn in by decades of habit. You’ll slip up. You’ll say "guys" when you meant to say "team." That’s okay.
Start small. Pick one alternative. Maybe it’s "everyone." For the next week, every time you’re about to say "guys," try to catch yourself and swap it for "everyone."
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your email sent folder: Search for the word "guys." See how many times you used it in the last month. If it’s your go-to for every single internal memo, try swapping it for "team" or "all" in your next three emails.
- Observe the reaction: When you use a different word, notice if the energy in the room changes. Often, using a word like "colleagues" or "folks" makes the conversation feel slightly more intentional.
- The "Y'all" Experiment: If you're in a casual setting, try using "y'all" or "folks." Notice if it feels more inclusive.
- Identify your "Groups": Categorize your social and professional circles. Assign a specific word to each. "Team" for work, "Friends" for the weekend, "Everyone" for strangers. Having a "pre-set" word helps prevent the "guys" reflex.
- Read more diverse writers: Pay attention to how people from different backgrounds address their audiences. You’ll find a wealth of options that feel more natural than a standard dictionary definition.
Language is a tool. If you only use one tool for every job, you’re going to struggle. Broadening your vocabulary to include another word for guys makes you a more versatile, empathetic, and effective communicator. It’s worth the effort.