Mentor

¹

[ men-ter ]

noun

1. a town in NE Ohio.

Mentor

²

[ men-tawr, -ter ]

noun

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

mentor

³

[ men-tawr, -ter ]

noun

1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.

   Synonyms: preceptor, guide, master, adviser

2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.

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

¹

/ 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

mentor

²

/ ˈmɛntɔː /

noun

1. a wise or trusted adviser or guide

verb

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

Derived Forms

• menˈtorial, adjective

Other Words From

• men·tor·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mentor¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mentor¹

C18: from Mentor

Example Sentences

By reaching out to a local high school or non-profit to become a mentor for a high achieving, low-income student.

From The Daily Beast

He made no bones about his great admiration for FDR, who was his mentor, and he had roots too in the Truman administration.

From The Daily Beast

A group of them mentor the turbulent, desperate kids fresh off the streets who are at their most violent when they first arrive.

From The Daily Beast

“My esteemed mentor, Boris Fruman, showed us 100 slides of stills from films,” says Granik.

From The Daily Beast

At 17, she attended the Durango Songwriters Expo, a summit where 30 music industry professionals mentor 200 some-odd attendees.

From The Daily Beast

Although he was on the eve of his departure for Lucknau, he was, nevertheless, kind enough to become my Mentor.

From Project Gutenberg

"Ugly Collins has either lost his time-card er has traded his wagon fer a airyplane," said the mentor.

From Project Gutenberg

However, their guide, mentor, and boss had a faraway look in his eye—seemed impatient to get going.

From Project Gutenberg

Frank is my social mentor, though I care little about society in the general acceptance of the term.

From Project Gutenberg

The King pleaded in vain that he might still serve as mentor in the coming negotiation; the Emperor scornfully refused.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coach
• counsel
• guide
• instruct