Word
instruct
Phoneticsin·struct, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈstɹəkt/
UK/ɪnstɹˈʌkt/
Definitions
01to direct or order
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to tell someone to do something in a formal or official way.
v. to give an authoritative order or command to someone. Transitive; typically followed by an object and a to-infinitive.
日本語:命令する※
“The manager instructed the staff to lock the doors at exactly 9:00 PM.”
“The judge instructed the jury to disregard the witness's last statement, as it was based on hearsay rather than direct evidence.”
Usage
Commonly used in the pattern 'instruct someone to do something'.
02to teach a skill
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to teach someone how to do something, especially a practical skill.
v. to provide systematic information or training in a particular subject or skill.
日本語:教える※
“She spent the afternoon instructing the new students in basic first aid.”
“The manual is designed to instruct users in the assembly of the modular shelving unit without the need for specialised tools.”
Usage
Often takes the preposition 'in' when referring to a subject or skill.
03to brief a lawyer
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical · British English
v. to give a lawyer the information and authority to act for you.
v. to give a solicitor or barrister formal information and instructions to act on one's behalf in a legal matter.
“The company has instructed a firm of solicitors to handle the merger.”
“After the accident, the family instructed a senior barrister to represent their interests during the public inquiry.”
Teaching tip
This sense is specific to legal contexts, particularly in the UK and Commonwealth systems.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “instruct” in context.
Verb
01. formally instruct the jury
“The judge will formally instruct the jury on the relevant laws before they deliberate.”
adv + verb + noun
02. instruct the lawyer to proceed
“The client instructed the lawyer to proceed with the lawsuit immediately.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. instruct the staff that safety is paramount
“The manager instructed the staff that safety is paramount during the renovation.”
verb + noun + that-clause
Adverb
04. explicitly instruct the witness
“The attorney explicitly instructed the witness not to discuss the case with the media.”
adv + verb + noun
05. specifically instruct the team
“I specifically instructed the team to double-check the figures before the presentation.”
adv + verb + noun
06. strictly instruct the children
“The parents strictly instructed the children to stay within the garden boundaries.”
adv + verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“In around a quarter of complaints, the NTA said licence holders were instructed about their legal rights and responsibilities.” “The orchestra is often instructed to play slightly sharp or flat, their microtonal clashes lending the work a spectral quality.” Etymology
From Latin īnstrūctus, perfect passive participle of īnstruō (“I instruct; I arrange, furnish, or provide”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/instruct
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0