teach
TEECH
Teach (verb) means to help someone learn a skill or subject by explaining or demonstrating it. Example: “She has taught mathematics at the same school for twenty years.”
verb
1
To help someone learn a skill or subject by explaining or demonstrating it.
"She has taught mathematics at the same school for twenty years."
"His grandfather taught him how to sail."
"Our neighbour teaches piano to local children every Tuesday afternoon."
2
To make someone understand the consequences of their actions.
"Missing the bus in the rain should teach her to leave the house earlier."
"A cold night outside will teach him not to forget his key again."
"That mistake taught him to always double-check his work."
How to use teach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo pass knowledge or a skill on to someone else, or to make them learn a lesson from experience.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
teach a class
teach someone a lesson
teach yourself
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Word forms
- Plural
- teaches
- Third person singular
- teaches
- Past tense
- taught
- Archaic forms
- teachest, taughtest, teacheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our neighbour _____ piano to local children every Tuesday afternoon.
Etymology
From Old English tæcan, "to show or point out," related to an ancient root meaning "to show" — the same root gives us the word "token."
Related words
Rhymes for teach
See all rhymes for teach →Frequently asked questions
What does “teach” mean?
The word “teach” means to help someone learn a skill or subject by explaining or demonstrating it. In plain terms, to pass knowledge or a skill on to someone else, or to make them learn a lesson from experience.
How do you pronounce “teach”?
“Teach” is pronounced TEECH (/ˈtiːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “teach” in a sentence?
Here is “teach” used in a sentence: “She has taught mathematics at the same school for twenty years.”
What part of speech is “teach”?
“Teach” is a verb.
Where does the word “teach” come from?
The word “teach” comes from Old English. From Old English tæcan, "to show or point out," related to an ancient root meaning "to show" — the same root gives us the word "token.".
Is “teach” a common word?
“Teach” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “teach” have?
“Teach” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to help someone learn a skill or subject by explaining or demonstrating it.
What is the difference between teach and learn?
Teaching and learning are two sides of the same process. To teach is to give knowledge or skills to someone else, while to learn is to receive and absorb them. A teacher teaches a lesson, and a student learns it. Using "learn" to mean "teach," as in "I'll learn you," is considered nonstandard English.
What is the difference between teach and train?
Both help someone gain ability, but the focus differs. Teaching usually imparts knowledge and understanding across subjects such as history or maths. Training tends to build a specific practical skill through repetition and practice, like training staff or an athlete. In short, teaching informs the mind, while training drills a particular ability.
Can teaching be learned?
Yes. While some people have a natural gift for explaining things, teaching is a skill that can be developed through study, training, and practice. Teachers earn qualifications, learn classroom techniques, and improve by reflecting on what works. Even experienced teachers keep refining how they present ideas and support different kinds of learners.
What is an example of teaching?
Teaching happens whenever someone helps another person understand or do something. A maths teacher explaining fractions on a whiteboard is teaching, but so is a parent showing a child how to tie shoelaces, or a colleague demonstrating new software. Any clear explanation or demonstration aimed at helping someone learn counts as teaching.
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