mentor

1 of 2

noun

men·​tor ˈmen-ˌtȯr 

-tər

1

capitalized : a friend of Odysseus entrusted with the education of Odysseus' son Telemachus

2

a

: a trusted counselor or guide

a mentor who, because he is detached and disinterested, can hold up a mirror to us

—P. W. Keve

b

: tutor, coach

The student sought a mentor in chemistry.

mentor

2 of 2

verb

mentored; mentoring; mentors

transitive verb

: to serve as a mentor for : tutor

Synonyms

Verb

• guide
• coach

Examples of mentor in a Sentence

Noun

After college, her professor became her close friend and mentor.

He needed a mentor to teach him about the world of politics.

We volunteer as mentors to disadvantaged children.

young boys in need of mentors

Verb

The young intern was mentored by the country's top heart surgeon.

Our program focuses on mentoring teenagers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cox, Snitker’s mentor and close friend, retired after the 2010 season, when the Braves returned to the postseason following a four-year absence and lost to San Francisco in a division series. —David O'Brien, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

The team models professional pathways, adapts curriculum for sensory and developmental differences, sustains an active parent club, and engages alumni as volunteers and mentors. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

Verb

Additionally, Smith is committed to mentoring emerging actors through her Tasha Smith Actors Workshop (TSAW). —Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025

The collective was mentored by Siddartha, Lou Ye and Truong Ming Quoy. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

as name borrowed from Latin Mentōr, borrowed from Greek Méntōr; as generic noun borrowed from French mentor, after Mentor, character in the novel Les aventures de Télémaque (1699) by the French cleric and writer François Fénelon (1651-1715), based on characters in the Odyssey

Note: In Fénelon's work Mentor is a principal character, and his speeches and advice to Telemachus during their travels constitute much of the book's substance.

Verb

derivative of mentor entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mentor

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

mentor

1 of 2 noun

men·​tor ˈmen-ˌtȯ(ə)r 

ˈment-ər

: a wise and faithful adviser or teacher

mentor

2 of 2 verb

: to serve as a mentor for : tutor

a volunteer who mentors students

Geographical Definition

Mentor

geographical name

Men·​tor ˈmen-tər 

city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Cleveland population 47,159