tutorial

American  

[too-tawr-ee-uhl, -tohr-, tyoo-] / tuˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-, tyu- /

adjective

1. pertaining to or exercised by a tutor.

   tutorial functions or authority.

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noun

1. a class in which a tutor gives intensive instruction in some subject to an individual student or a small group of students.

2. Computers.

   1. programmed instruction provided to a user at a computer terminal, often concerning the use of a particular software package and built into that package.

   2. a manual explaining how to use a particular software package or computer system.

tutorial British  

/ tjuːˈtɔːrɪəl /

noun

1. a period of intensive tuition given by a tutor to an individual student or to a small group of students

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adjective

1. of or relating to a tutor

Other Word Forms

• nontutorial
  adjective
• nontutorially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of tutorial

1735–45; < Latin tūtōri ( us ) of a guardian + -al ¹

Explanation

A tutorial is a teaching session given to one student or a small group of students. If you are stuck in a class, you could use a tutorial. Teachers lead classes, but tutors are educators who also help students, usually one-on-one. Tutors don’t give grades: they just try to help or coach students. A session given by a tutor is called a tutorial. A tutorial could be a one-on-one session in a tutoring center or elsewhere. A tutorial could also be a small group led by a tutor, in which the tutor helps the whole group with math, history, or another topic.

Example Sentences

A boxing-themed display promoting Vibskov’s spring and summer collection, the Unboxing Waltz Tutorial, features a bright orange faux boxing ring at center, with racks and tables of clothes, shoes, fragrances, accessories and more.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2024

Mrs. Greenidge, 36, is the managing director for fund-raising and external affairs at the East Harlem Tutorial Program, an organization that provides after-school programs, operates three charter schools and offers teaching residencies.

From New York Times • Sep. 22, 2018

"It's a vicious cycle," says Babette Edwards of the Harlem Tutorial and Referral Project.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tutorial instruction at Columbia Teachers College clearly shows, says the college's Mrs. Marvin Sleisenger, that such children can learn if "we teach in slow motion."

From Time Magazine Archive

This marks the beginning of the Tutorial System, which has ever since played so great a part in the intellectual life of England's two old Universities.

From The Charm of Oxford by Wells, J. (Joseph)

Related Words

• guide