guru

noun

gu·​ru ˈgu̇r-(ˌ)ü How to pronounce guru (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The pop-up also included an in-person Transform discussion with health guru Jay Shetty and an athletic wear shop featuring their latest Form Athletics Collection, which goes live on their website today. Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025 That elite quintet consisted of domestic policy advisor Bruce Reed, chief strategist Mike Donilon, legislative affairs guru Steve Ricchetti and chief of staff Ron Klain, each of whom had deep ties to Biden. Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025 Especially since Lou has become curiously interested in an internet muckraker-slash-crackpot guru named Vernon Jefferson Peak (Austin Butler) and his ideas about vast rings of powerful pedophiles pulling all of the strings behind the scenes. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025 Rickie Fowler has a cool fact associated with Quail Hollow, per stat guru Justin Ray. Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for guru

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Hindi (or another Indo-Aryan vernacular language), borrowed from Sanskrit gurúḥ "highly respected person, teacher, spiritual guide," noun derivative of gurúḥ "heavy, weighty, venerable" — more at grave entry 2

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of guru was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Guru.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guru. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

guru

noun
gu·​ru gə-ˈrü How to pronounce guru (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on guru

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!