Definition of mentor
From the M-W Editors
mentor was our Word of the Day on 01/19/2013. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of mentor in a Sentence
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
Did You Know?
We acquired "mentor" from the literature of ancient Greece. In Homer's epic The Odyssey, Odysseus was away from home fighting and journeying for 20 years. During that time, Telemachus, the son he left as a babe in arms, grew up under the supervision of Mentor, an old and trusted friend. When the goddess Athena decided it was time to complete the education of young Telemachus, she visited him disguised as Mentor and they set out together to learn about his father. Today, we use the word mentor for anyone who is a positive, guiding influence in another (usually younger) person's life.
Origin and Etymology of mentor
Latin, from Greek Mentōr
First Known Use: 1616
Other Literature Terms
Examples of mentor in a Sentence
The young intern was mentored by the country's top heart surgeon.
Our program focuses on mentoring teenagers.
Origin and Etymology of mentor
see 1mentor
First Known Use: 1918
Mentor
playDefinition of Mentor
city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Cleveland population 47,159
MENTOR Defined for English Language Learners
mentor
playDefinition of mentor for English Language Learners
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: someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person
mentor
Definition of mentor for English Language Learners
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: to teach or give advice or guidance to (someone, such as a less experienced person or a child) : to act as a mentor for (someone)
Learn More about mentor
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mentor Spanish Central: Translation of mentor Nglish: Translation of mentor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mentor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mentor
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