Mentor

¹

[ men-ter ]

noun

1. a town in NE Ohio.

Mentor

²

[ men-tawr, -ter ]

noun

1. (in the Odyssey ) 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. the friend whom Odysseus put in charge of his household when he left for Troy. He was the adviser of the young Telemachus

mentor

²

/ ˈmɛntɔː /

noun

1. a wise or trusted adviser or guide

verb

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

Derived Forms

• menˈtorial, adjective

Other Words From

• men·tor·ship 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

Rhys is now a youth mentor, and is working with the police on a new campaign to help parents spot warning signs that their child is being exploited.

From BBC

He became a barber and then joined the charity Escapeline as a youth mentor working with children and teenagers at risk of exploitation.

From BBC

Before launching a political crusade against military officers, Trump might also want to review the biography of his own early business lawyer and mentor Roy Cohn, who began his career as the counsel for Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

From Slate

“He was not just an incomparable lawyer, mentor, role model, and friend, but he has made immeasurable contributions to the rule of law, our Constitution, and our country. We will miss him with all our hearts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Student Damian Ayonn said that Perez is an “essential figure for many students here, not just as an educator, but as a mentor, a supporter and a guide through some of the most challenging moments of our lives.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coach
• counsel
• guide
• instruct