Definition of GURU

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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.

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

Economists, business gurus and blue-chip CEOs like those who make up America’s Business Roundtable confirmed them in their view. — The Economist, "Big business is beginning to accept broader social responsibilities," 22 Aug. 2019 Pupil and defensive whiz, in his very first game as a head coach, meets teacher and offensive guru, in the beginning of his hotly billed second season. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "The Franks Connection: How a Brothers' Bond Aided the Breakthrough Florida's QB Needed," 20 Aug. 2019 In a crowded Democratic race, with lawmakers, mayors, spiritual gurus, entrepreneurs, and a former punk rocker vying for the presidency, Sestak stands out for his experience and attention to foreign policy issues. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Meet the intriguing presidential candidate you haven’t seen on the debate stage," 17 Aug. 2019 The presence of the other six candidates on the stage, from tech executive Andrew Yang to spirituality guru Marianne Williamson, meant the night offered something for everyone. — oregonlive.com, "Who won the second 2020 Democratic debate? Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg ... and policy wonks," 27 June 2019 Is our girl Ari on the brink of becoming a major beauty guru like Rihanna? — Gianluca Russo, Teen Vogue, "Ariana Grande's 'Cloud' Wins Fragrance of the Year Award," 6 June 2019 Countless celebrities, political leaders, advice gurus like Heloise and Peggy Post, and famous chefs have been featured in the magazine. — Good Housekeeping, "The History of the Good Housekeeping Institute," 31 Oct. 2015 That means self-help guru Marianne Williamson may not be there to warn about dark psychic forces. — Jazmine Ulloa, BostonGlobe.com, "Could those unwieldy Democratic debates boost Trump’s cause?," 1 Aug. 2019 Self-help guru Marianne Williamson has been the topic of many late-night quips about her new-age style. — Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Late-night TV's best jokes about Tuesday's Democratic debate in Detroit," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guru.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.