instructor

American  

[in-struhk-ter] / ɪnˈstrʌk tər /

noun

1. a person who instructs; teacher.

   Synonyms:

   pedagogue, preceptor, schoolmaster, tutor

2. a teacher in a college or university who ranks below an assistant professor.

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instructor British  

/ ɪnˈstrʌktə, ɪnˈstrʌktrɪs /

noun

1. someone who instructs; teacher

2. a university teacher ranking below assistant professor

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Other Word Forms

• instructorial adjective
• instructorship noun
• instructress noun
• self-instructor noun

Etymology

Origin of instructor

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin, equivalent to instruc-, variant stem of instruere ( instruct ) + -tor -tor

Compare meaning

How does instructor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• instructor vs. lecturer

Example Sentences

Swedish instructors here say the hardest thing to teach students is to admit when they are hungry, cold or in pain.

From The Wall Street Journal

At a recent training session for Ukrainian infantry, an instructor shouted as soldiers ran through thick snow, the layers of ice crushing under their boots.

From Barron's

The ski instructor, who was unharmed, has tested negative after taking blood and drug tests, according to Bachelet.

From BBC

“It was like old home week,” said Shana Hirsch, an English instructor at a community college in the southeastern part of the state.

From The Wall Street Journal

The chief instructor at the British Army's school of military engineering was dressed in an Army uniform, with boots and beret, at the time.

From BBC

Related Words

• adviser
• coach
• guide
• lecturer
• mentor
• professor
• teacher
• trainer
• tutor