tutor
TYOO-tuh
Tutor (noun) means a person who teaches a student individually or in a small group, often privately. Example: “She hired a maths tutor to help her son before exams.”
noun
1
A person who teaches a student individually or in a small group, often privately.
"He passed the difficult class with help from his tutor."
"She hired a maths tutor to help her son before exams."
"Her university tutor met her every week to talk through her essays."
"We found a patient piano tutor who comes to the house on Tuesdays."
verb
1
To teach someone individually or in a small group.
"To help pay her tuition, the college student began to tutor high school students in calculus and physics."
"He tutors students in French after school."
"She tutored her neighbour's daughter in maths every weekend last year."
"I have been tutoring small groups of adults who want to learn English."
How to use tutor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who teaches one-on-one or in small groups, or the act of teaching that way.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
private tutor
tutor a student
maths tutor
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Word forms
- Plural
- tutors
- Third person singular
- tutors
- Past tense
- tutored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She hired a maths _____ to help her son before exams.
Etymology
From Latin tutor, "a watcher, protector, guardian", from tueri, "to protect" — the same root as "tuition".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tutor
See all rhymes for tutor →Frequently asked questions
What does “tutor” mean?
The word “tutor” means a person who teaches a student individually or in a small group, often privately. In plain terms, someone who teaches one-on-one or in small groups, or the act of teaching that way.
How do you pronounce “tutor”?
“Tutor” is pronounced TYOO-tuh (/ˈtjuːtəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “tutor” in a sentence?
Here is “tutor” used in a sentence: “She hired a maths tutor to help her son before exams.”
What part of speech is “tutor”?
Depending on how it is used, “tutor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tutor” come from?
The word “tutor” comes from Latin. From Latin tutor, "a watcher, protector, guardian", from tueri, "to protect" — the same root as "tuition".
Is “tutor” a common word?
“Tutor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tutor” have?
“Tutor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who teaches a student individually or in a small group, often privately.
What is the difference between a tutor and a teacher?
A tutor teaches a student individually or in a small group, often privately, while a teacher typically instructs a full class in a school setting. Tutoring tends to focus on one learner's specific needs rather than delivering a standard curriculum to many students at once.
Is tutor used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, tutor can be a noun for the person doing the teaching or a verb meaning to teach someone individually or in a small group. For example, someone can hire a tutor, or a tutor can tutor a student in math.
What is the difference between a tutor and a mentor?
A tutor's role is specifically instructional, teaching a subject or skill to an individual or small group. A mentor's role is broader, offering general guidance and advice, which may or may not involve direct teaching.
