ENGLISH
REFERENCE

teacher

n.
US //ˈtitʃɝ// UK //tˈiːtʃɐ// teach·er
  1. 1 educator (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a person who helps you learn new things, especially in a school.

    a person whose profession is to provide instruction to students, typically within a formal educational setting.

    Example

    My history teacher makes the lessons very interesting by telling stories.

    Example

    The primary school teacher developed a specialized curriculum to address the diverse learning needs of her third-grade students.
    Pitfall
    He is a teacher of English in a high school.
    He is an English teacher at a high school.

    While 'teacher of English' is grammatically correct, it is more natural to use the subject as a modifier before 'teacher' and the preposition 'at' for the institution.

  2. 2 a lesson or example (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    an experience or person that shows you how to live or behave.

    an abstract entity, experience, or person that serves as a source of wisdom or a moral example.

    Example

    Failure can be a great teacher if you learn from your mistakes.

    Example

    In many philosophical traditions, nature is viewed as the ultimate teacher, offering silent lessons on patience and the cycle of life.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 religious office (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Religion

    a specific rank or role for a person in certain churches.

    a specific ecclesiastical office or rank within certain religious denominations, such as the Aaronic priesthood in Mormonism.

    Example

    He was ordained as a teacher in his local church when he was fourteen.

    Example

    The duties of a teacher within the Aaronic priesthood involve visiting members' homes to provide spiritual guidance and support.

Origin

From Middle English techere, equivalent to teach + -er. More at teach.

Word family

© 2026 English Reference