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noun

mentor

MEHN-taw
noun
1
An experienced, trusted advisor who guides someone less experienced.
"Her mentor at the firm helped her navigate the first tough year."
"Every apprentice was paired with a mentor."
verb
1
To act as a mentor to someone; to guide and advise them.
"He has mentored dozens of young engineers over his career."

How to Use Mentor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA trusted, experienced guide, or to act as one.

Common pairings
find a mentor mentor someone mentor-mentee relationship

Word Forms

mentored past tense, mentors plural, Mentors plural, mentors singular

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Her _____ at the firm helped her navigate the first tough year.

Etymology

From the character Mentor in Homer's Odyssey, the trusted advisor left in charge of Odysseus's son Telemachus — the name became a general word for "wise counselor."

Rhymes for mentor

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial