guru

[goor-oo, goo-roo]

noun

1. Hinduism.,  a preceptor giving personal religious instruction.

2. an intellectual or spiritual guide or leader.

3. any person who counsels or advises; mentor.

   The elder senator was her political guru.

4. a leader in a particular field.

   the city's cultural gurus.

guru

/ ˈɡuːruː, ˈɡʊruː /

noun

1. a Hindu or Sikh religious teacher or leader, giving personal spiritual guidance to his disciples

2. derogatory,  a leader or chief theoretician of a movement, esp a spiritual or religious cult

3. facetious,  a leading authority in a particular field

   a cricketing guru

guru

1. In Hinduism, a teacher or spiritual leader.

By extension, a “guru” is a teacher who attracts disciples or followers.

Other Word Forms

• guruship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guru¹

1820–30; < Hindi gurū < Sanskrit guru venerable, weighty

Word History and Origins

Origin of guru¹

C17: from Hindi gurū, from Sanskrit guruh weighty

Related Words

• master 
• teacher 
• tutor