lecturer
LEHKT-shuh-ruh
Lecturer (noun) means someone who gives lectures, especially as their job. Example: “The visiting lecturer specialised in ancient Egyptian art.”
noun
1
Someone who gives lectures, especially as their job.
"The visiting lecturer specialised in ancient Egyptian art."
"The lecturer paused to let the students take notes on the slide."
"Our history lecturer makes even dull topics sound exciting."
"The lecturers are expert on lecturing on the subject, but they offer the splatterdash method of disseminating information with no point of view of their own."
— Hubert Ingram Bermont, The Complete Consultant: A Roadmap to Success (1982)
2
A university teaching rank below professor.
"She was promoted from lecturer to senior lecturer after five years."
"He applied for a lecturer post at a university in the north of England."
"After finishing her doctorate, she worked as a lecturer for several years before becoming a reader."
How to use lecturer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA person whose job is to teach through lectures, often at a college or university.
UK vs US
In the UK "lecturer" is a specific junior academic rank; in the US the equivalent title is often "instructor" or "assistant professor."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- lecturers
Fill the gap
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The visiting _____ specialised in ancient Egyptian art.
Etymology
Formed from lecture plus the agent suffix -er, "one who does the action."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lecturer
See all rhymes for lecturer →Frequently asked questions
What does “lecturer” mean?
The word “lecturer” means someone who gives lectures, especially as their job. In plain terms, a person whose job is to teach through lectures, often at a college or university.
How do you pronounce “lecturer”?
“Lecturer” is pronounced LEHKT-shuh-ruh (/ˈlɛkt͡ʃəɹɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lecturer” in a sentence?
Here is “lecturer” used in a sentence: “The visiting lecturer specialised in ancient Egyptian art.”
What part of speech is “lecturer”?
“Lecturer” is a noun.
Is “lecturer” a common word?
“Lecturer” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lecturer” have?
“Lecturer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who gives lectures, especially as their job.
What is the difference between a lecturer and a professor?
A lecturer is a university teaching rank that sits below professor, meaning lecturers typically have less seniority and often less research standing than professors within an academic department. Both give lectures, but professor usually denotes a higher, often more senior or specialised academic title.
Is a lecturer the same as a teacher?
A lecturer specifically gives lectures as their job, typically at a university or similar higher education institution, whereas teacher is a broader term covering instruction at any level, including schools. Lecturer implies a more specific academic and institutional role.
Does lecturer always refer to a university role?
Not necessarily; lecturer can describe anyone who gives lectures as their job, such as a guest lecturer at a conference or event. However, it is most commonly used as a formal university teaching rank below professor.
