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

• mentorial adjective
• mentorship 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

The Sondheim relationship remained pivotal to Miranda, who later shared ideas about “Hamilton” with his mentor and wrote the Spanish-language lyrics for a 2009 Broadway revival of “West Side Story.”

From Los Angeles Times

For the 71-year-old, it is now back to the house he had shared with Heather, his wife of 44 years, who raised their four children before becoming a teacher and mentor.

From BBC

Steve Sallis is a renowned mentor and qualified coach who has worked with players such as Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham, new Arsenal winger Eberechi Eze and Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

From BBC

“David’s profound influence as a mentor to generations of students and postdocs, his generosity as a colleague, his leadership of great scientific institutions, and his deep involvement in international efforts to define ethical boundaries for biological advances, fill out an extraordinary intellectual life,” he added.

From Los Angeles Times

In later years, he created John Burton Advocates for Youth, a nonprofit group to mentor foster youth and seek policy changes.

From Los Angeles Times

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.