Mentor

¹

[men-ter]

noun

1. a town in NE Ohio.

Mentor

²

[men-tawr, -ter]

noun

1. (in theOdyssey ) 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. a wise or trusted adviser or guide

verb

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

Mentor

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• mentorship noun
• mentorial adjective

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

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.