teacher
Americannoun
noun
-
a person whose occupation is teaching others, esp children
-
a personified concept that teaches
nature is a good teacher
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of teacher
First recorded in 1250–1300, teacher is from the Middle English word techer. See teach, -er 1
Compare meaning
How does teacher compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
If the guy down the street shows you how to play the guitar and helps you develop a masterful plucking style, then he's your guitar teacher. A teacher is anyone who teaches things. Schools hire people to be teachers, but you don't have to work in a school to be a teacher. You can be a teacher to your children. If you're really good at making pizza, you can be a teacher to an aspiring pizza chef. If you're really passionate about methods of education, then you can become a teacher who teaches teachers how to teach better. Whoa.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My favorite tribute is the surprisingly moving episode of “The Boondocks” called “Riley Wuz Here,” which presents its version of him as an undercover revolutionary called the Art Teacher.
From Salon • May 2, 2026
Teacher and additional learning needs co-ordinator, Rhydian Evans, said squeezed budgets placed extra pressure and stress on staff.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
Teacher and performer, he revealed the works of Nature to a genteel audience amid the sensory manipulations of the theater.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026
Teacher Doris Farah, 55, broke down describing her anxiety and sadness since the new war erupted.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
The Monday following, Teacher saw her in the hall before class and asked her how the poor family had enjoyed the pie.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
