guru

[ goor-oo, goo-roo ]

noun

1. Hinduism. a preceptor giving personal religious instruction.
2. an intellectual or spiritual guide or leader.
3. any person who counsels or advises; mentor:

   The elder senator was her political guru.

4. a leader in a particular field:

   the city's cultural gurus.

guru

/ ˈɡuːruː; ˈɡʊruː /

noun

1. a Hindu or Sikh religious teacher or leader, giving personal spiritual guidance to his disciples
2. derogatory.
   a leader or chief theoretician of a movement, esp a spiritual or religious cult
3. facetious.
   a leading authority in a particular field

   a cricketing guru

guru

1. In Hinduism , a teacher or spiritual leader.

Notes

By extension, a “guru” is a teacher who attracts disciples or followers.

Derived Forms

• ˈguruˌship, noun

Other Words From

• guru·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guru¹

1820–30; < Hindi gurū < Sanskrit guru venerable, weighty

Word History and Origins

Origin of guru¹

C17: from Hindi gurū, from Sanskrit guruh weighty

Related Words

• master
• teacher
• tutor