tutor

1 of 2

noun

tu·​tor ˈtü-tər 

ˈtyü-

: a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another: such as

a

: a private teacher

b

: a teacher in a British university who gives individual instruction to undergraduates

tutor

2 of 2

verb

tutored; tutoring; tutors

transitive verb

1

: to teach or guide usually individually in a special subject or for a particular purpose : coach

2

: to have the guardianship, tutelage, or care of

intransitive verb

1

: to do the work of a tutor

2

: to receive instruction especially privately

Synonyms

Verb

• educate
• indoctrinate
• instruct
• lesson
• school
• teach
• train

Examples of tutor in a Sentence

Noun

I got a tutor to help me with my homework.

He is a tutor in European history.

Verb

She earned extra money tutoring in the evening.

bought a video series designed to tutor a person in the fine art of decorating cakes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And millions of children, especially those without resources for tutors or parents to oversee them during the day, were losing ground with their academics. —David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025

The tutor starts by building a picture of the student’s current level of understanding of the subject, identifying strengths, weaknesses and knowledge gaps. —David Prosser, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Verb

In the book, Hannah tries to get the attention of her longtime crush Justin — a college rock band singer — by tutoring the captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 7 May 2025

States had earmarked funds to pay for tutoring students who fell behind, repairs and upgrades to school buildings, and to pay for education and care programs for homeless students, according to the lawsuit. —Khaleda Rahman shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tutour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin tutor, from tueri

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for tutor

• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

tutor

1 of 2 noun

tu·​tor ˈt(y)üt-ər 

: a person who has the responsibility of instructing and guiding another

tutor

2 of 2 verb

: to teach usually individually

Legal Definition

tutor

noun

tu·​tor ˈtü-tər, ˈtyü-tər 

in the civil law of Louisiana : a guardian of a minor or sometimes of a person with mental retardation compare committee, conservator, curator

tutorship noun