English Reference
Noun

protege

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈpɹoʊtəˌʒeɪ/ pro·tege UK spelling protege's, protege's

n.a young person who is being trained or supported by an older, more experienced person. This person usually has a lot of talent and is learning from a famous or powerful mentor.

n.a person who is being trained or supported by a more experienced or influential person. Often implies a formal or semi-formal relationship where the mentor provides guidance and resources to the younger individual.


SIMPLE

The famous scientist took the young researcher as his protege.

CONTEXTUAL

After winning the national poetry prize, the teenager became the protege of a well-known literary agent.

COMPLEX

The mentorship between the two architects lasted decades, with the younger man eventually becoming a protege whose innovative designs would redefine the city's skyline.

There is also Jamie Butterworth, who last year got called “the Jamie Oliver of gardening” and “Monty Don’s protege” in the space of a single headline .

The Guardian· 8 Sept 2026

A Red Bull protege, his time in the works team in 2019 did not work out.

BBC News· 5 Sept 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated