teach

verb

ˈtēch 

taught ˈtȯt  ; teaching

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to know something

taught them a trade

b

: to cause to know how

is teaching me to drive

c

: to accustom to some action or attitude

teach students to think for themselves

d

: to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action

I'll teach you to come home late

2

: to guide the studies of

3

: to impart the knowledge of

teach algebra

4

a

: to instruct by precept, example, or experience

b

: to make known and accepted

experience teaches us our limitations

5

: to conduct instruction regularly in

teach school

intransitive verb

: to provide instruction : act as a teacher

Synonyms

• educate

Choose the Right Synonym for teach

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill.

teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

Examples of teach in a Sentence

He enjoys teaching his students about history.

She taught English for many years at the high school.

The church teaches compassion and forgiveness.

Someone needs to teach her right and wrong.

The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything.

Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unschooled children who need to pick up difficult-to-learn skills need to be taught stamina and commitment by their parents, rather than focusing on their happiness or satisfaction in the short term. —Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 July 2025

These days, Brewington is loving her work with Literacy KC, teaching adult learners to read. —Mará Rose Williams july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025

The Chicago Tribune reported that a San Francisco resident (perhaps someone who was seated near that miner) then taught this trick to fellow diners at New York’s steakhouse Delmonico’s, and the tradition spread from there, eventually shape-shifting to include shrimp. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 9 July 2025

In today’s business culture, we are taught to move fast, scale often and optimize endlessly. —Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English techen to show, instruct, from Old English tǣcan; akin to Old English tācn sign — more at token entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing teach

• practice-teach
• teach (someone) a lesson
• you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Rhymes for teach

• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech
• meech
• peach
• preach

Kids Definition

teach

verb

ˈtēch 

taught ˈtȯt  ; teaching

1

: to assist in learning how to do something : show how

teach a child to read

2

: to guide the studies of : instruct

teach a class

3

: to give lessons in : instruct pupils in

teach music

4

: to be a teacher

5

: to cause to learn : cause to know the effects of an action

the experience taught him to be more careful