guru

noun

gu·​ru ˈgu̇r-(ˌ)ü 

ˈgü-(ˌ)rü,

 also  gə-ˈrü

plural gurus

1

: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2

a

: a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern

has been a guru to many young writers

b

: one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent

became the guru of the movement

c

: a person with knowledge or expertise : expert

a computer guru

Did you know?

In Hinduism, a guru is a personal spiritual teacher. In ancient India, knowledge of the Vedas (a body of liturgical literature) was transmitted orally from guru to pupil. The rise of the bhakti movement, which emphasizes the love of devotees for a personal god, further increased the importance of gurus, who were often looked on as living embodiments of spiritual truth and were identified with the deity. Gurus prescribe spiritual disciplines to their devotees, who follow their dictates in a tradition of service and obedience. Men or women may be gurus, though generally only men have established lineages.

Synonyms

• ace
• adept
• artist
• authority
• cognoscente
• connoisseur
• crackerjack
• crackajack
• dab [chiefly British]
• dab hand [chiefly British]
• expert
• fiend
• geek
• hand
• hotshot
• maestro
• master
• maven
• mavin
• meister
• past master
• proficient
• scholar
• shark
• sharp
• virtuoso
• whiz
• wizard

Examples of guru in a Sentence

He has been a guru to many young writers.

She's a self-proclaimed financial guru.

Fitness gurus call it the hottest new exercise trend of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rita Ora and Taika Waititi recently took the plunge with Dutch wellness guru Wim Hof while in Ibiza. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2024

The game was also fitting for a soccer guru in Kevin Nagle, the chairman/owner of Sacramento Republic FC. —Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 17 Apr. 2024

For a cleaning guru, whose book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and subsequent Netflix shows have given rise to a decluttering empire, the confession was pretty divisive. —Kimberley Dadds, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2024

The couple also hired the PR guru responsible for getting Obama re-elected in 2022. —Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2024

Other tech gurus already play a large role in our daily lives, from cell phones to internet search engines and the country's most popular electric car. —USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

The egg producer offers value and is a guru favorite Summary The company grows through acquisitions. —Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Oura Ring For the wellness guru who can’t fit an Apple Watch into their style, the Oura Ring is the best gift of the season. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024

Our species is used to telling stories: culture-clash fables that turn these independent beings into pets or pals or protectors or spiritual gurus. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Sanskrit guru, from guru, adjective, heavy, venerable — more at grieve

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

guru

noun

gu·​ru gə-ˈrü 

ˈgu̇(ə)r-ü

1

: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2

a

: a person that is generally recognized as a leader or teacher

b

: a person with knowledge and expertise : expert

Etymology

from gurū, a word in Hindi (the major language in India) meaning "Hindu teacher or spiritual guide," derived from Sanskrit guru (adjective) "worthy of respect"