tutelage
Americannoun
-
the act of guarding, protecting, or guiding; office or function of a guardian; guardianship.
-
instruction; teaching; guidance.
His knowledge of Spanish increased under private tutelage.
- Synonyms:
- supervision, direction
-
the state of being under a guardian or a tutor.
noun
-
the act or office of a guardian or tutor
-
instruction or guidance, esp by a tutor
-
the condition of being under the supervision of a guardian or tutor
Etymology
Origin of tutelage
1595–1605; < Latin tūtēl ( a ) guardianship (derivative of tuērī to watch; see tuition) + -age
Explanation
If you babysit and tutor younger children after school, the kids are under your tutelage. You are responsible for their care and education. Tutelage can mean guardianship as well as teaching and sometimes it's difficult to tell which sense is meant. If an athlete is under the tutelage of his coach, the coach teaches him but is also responsible for the athlete's health and well-being. When the word describes a situation where one country or culture takes charge of another, it's more clear that management and guardianship are meant.
Vocabulary lists containing tutelage
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Between arguments with her overprotective mother, Jersey, Ali finds solace learning to play the piano under the tutelage of Miss Liza Jane, an elderly tenant in the family’s subsidized artist housing.
From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026
His more recent “research” appears to consist of reading studies under the tutelage of “leading experts” whom he calls his “mentors” or “gurus.”
From Slate • Feb. 26, 2026
They responded in kind, producing an evolving and unparalleled music under his tutelage.
From Salon • Jan. 15, 2026
But the most remarkable thing about Cignetti’s less-is-more practice philosophy is that he came up under the tutelage of the sport’s most demanding taskmaster: Nick Saban.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025
Winnie seemed to do better without my tutelage than with it, for she proceeded to drive around the township on her own for the next hour.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
