tutor

American  

[too-ter, tyoo-] / ˈtu tər, ˈtyu- /

noun

1. a person employed to instruct another in some branch or branches of learning, especially a private instructor.

2. a teacher of academic rank lower than instructor in some American universities and colleges.

3. a teacher without institutional connection who assists students in preparing for examinations.

4. (especially at Oxford and Cambridge) a university officer, usually a fellow, responsible for teaching and supervising a number of undergraduates.

5. the guardian of a boy or girl below the age of puberty or majority.

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verb (used with object)

1. to act as a tutor to; teach or instruct, especially privately.

2. to have the guardianship, instruction, or care of.

3. to instruct underhandedly; coach.

   to tutor a witness before he testifies.

4. Archaic.

   1. to train, school, or discipline.

   2. to admonish or reprove.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a tutor or private instructor.

2. to study privately with a tutor.

tutor British  

/ ˈtjuːtə /

noun

1. a teacher, usually instructing individual pupils and often engaged privately

2. (at universities, colleges, etc) a member of staff responsible for the teaching and supervision of a certain number of students

3. Scots law the guardian of a pupil See pupil 1

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verb

1. to act as a tutor to (someone); instruct

2. (tr) to act as guardian to; have care of

3. (intr) to study under a tutor

4. rare (tr) to admonish, discipline, or reprimand

Related Words

See teach.

Other Word Forms

• mistutor verb
• subtutor noun
• subtutorship noun
• tutorage noun
• tutorless adjective
• tutorship noun
• undertutor noun
• well-tutored adjective

Etymology

Origin of tutor

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin tūtor protector, equivalent to tū- (variant stem of tuērī to guard; tutelage ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Her children attended private schools, had private tutors and were given new cars — all debt-free.

From Los Angeles Times

In her view, it's best used as a tutor rather than just a provider of answers.

From BBC

“I was always overseas. My mom would organize some tutors in different countries and then I would do some online stuff with my school back in Australia.”

From Los Angeles Times

Tara started going to chess clubs in Year 2 but is now privately tutored.

From BBC

Eligible expenses include books, standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, plus tutoring for such tests, among other things.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• educator
• instructor
• lecturer
• mentor
• teacher