mentor

¹ American  

[men-tawr, -ter] / ˈmɛn tɔr, -tər /

noun

1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

   Synonyms:

   preceptor, guide, master, adviser

2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.

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verb (used without object)

1. to act as a mentor.

   She spent years mentoring to junior employees.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a mentor to.

   The brash young executive did not wish to be mentored by anyone.

Mentor ² American  

[men-ter] / ˈmɛn tər /

noun

1. a town in NE Ohio.

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Mentor ³ American  

[men-tawr, -ter] / ˈmɛn tɔr, -tər /

noun

1. (in theOdyssey ) a loyal adviser of Odysseus entrusted with the care and education of Telemachus.

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mentor ¹ British  

/ ˈmɛntɔː /

noun

1. a wise or trusted adviser or guide

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verb

1. to act as a mentor to (someone); train

Mentor ² British  

/ ˈmɛntɔː /

noun

1. the friend whom Odysseus put in charge of his household when he left for Troy. He was the adviser of the young Telemachus

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Usage

What does mentor mean? A mentor is the main person you rely on to give you advice and guidance, especially in your career.Mentor can also be used as a verb meaning to act as a mentor, as in I mentor two of my students. If you have a mentor, you are the mentee.Example: It feels strange to me that I’m now more famous than my mentor—I wouldn’t be where I am without her.

Other Word Forms

• mentorial adjective
• mentorship noun

Etymology

Origin of mentor

First recorded in 1740–50; after Mentor (from Greek Méntōr )

Example Sentences

They point to a number of pathways already established such as the Coaching Initiative, mentoring and an elite female coaching programme, designed to improve access for women to the top levels of the English game.

From BBC

The system I have proposed would have more emphasis on education and mentoring - for parents as well as the young players - and also provision for what happens next if they are released aged 16.

From BBC

Instead, her “mentor” Hank Cosby wrote the famed horn chart and, along with William Stevenson, Motown’s A&R director, got producer credit.

From The Wall Street Journal

While his mentor Benjamin Graham was a great source of inspiration and investing knowledge, he started his own career as an investor simply because he enjoyed the work, said Buffett.

From The Wall Street Journal

I met my first boss and mentor through an email I sent from my university address, and that relationship opened doors I’m still walking through today.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• adviser
• coach
• guide
• instructor
• teacher
• trainer
• tutor