# teacher

/ˈtitʃɝ/ (US) · /tˈiːtʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/teacher
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. educator

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a lesson or example

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. religious office

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The teacher explains the lesson to the class.
- After the lecture, the teacher stayed behind to answer questions from students who were struggling with the math problems.
- A truly effective teacher does more than impart facts; they cultivate a sense of curiosity and provide the analytical tools necessary for students to navigate complex subjects independently.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.