Word
teacher
Phoneticsteach·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtitʃɝ/
UK/tˈiːtʃɐ/
Definitions
01educator
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a person who helps you learn new things, especially in a school.
n. a person whose profession is to provide instruction to students, typically within a formal educational setting.
“My history teacher makes the lessons very interesting by telling stories.”
“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.
Synonyms
02a lesson or example
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Literary
n. an experience or person that shows you how to live or behave.
n. an abstract entity, experience, or person that serves as a source of wisdom or a moral example.
“Failure can be a great teacher if you learn from your mistakes.”
“In many philosophical traditions, nature is viewed as the ultimate teacher, offering silent lessons on patience and the cycle of life.”
03religious office
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Technical
n. a specific rank or role for a person in certain churches.
n. a specific ecclesiastical office or rank within certain religious denominations, such as the Aaronic priesthood in Mormonism.
“He was ordained as a teacher in his local church when he was fourteen.”
“The duties of a teacher within the Aaronic priesthood involve visiting members' homes to provide spiritual guidance and support.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “teacher” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English techere, equivalent to teach + -er. More at teach.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
01. teacher's pet
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/teacher