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tutor

n. · v.
US //ˈtutɝ// UK //tjˈuːtɐ// tu·tor
  1. 1 private teacher (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a teacher who gives private lessons to one person or a very small group.

    a private instructor who provides remedial or supplementary education to an individual student or a small group.

    Example

    Her parents hired a maths tutor to help her prepare for the final exam.

    Example

    The family engaged a private tutor to provide intensive language support before the student relocated to a foreign university.
  2. 2 university official (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a university teacher who looks after a group of students and helps them with their studies.

    a member of a university faculty responsible for the academic or pastoral care of assigned students.

    Example

    If you have any problems with your course, you should speak to your personal tutor.

    Example

    The senior tutor is responsible for overseeing the academic progress and welfare of all undergraduates within the college.
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  1. 3 to teach privately (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to teach a student privately, often to help them improve in a specific subject.

    to provide individualised instruction, typically in a remedial or supplementary capacity.

    Example

    He tutors several students in chemistry after school on Tuesdays.

    Example

    She spent her summer tutoring local high school students in advanced calculus to save money for her own tuition fees.
  2. 4 legal guardian (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Formal Law

    a person who is legally responsible for a child and their money.

    a person appointed to manage the person or estate of a minor or someone legally incapable of managing their own affairs.

    Example

    In the old story, the orphan's tutor managed the family farm until the boy grew up.

    Example

    The court appointed a legal tutor to oversee the distribution of the inheritance until the heirs reached the age of majority.

    Usage

    Common in historical legal documents or specific civil law jurisdictions.
Etymology 1

From Middle English tutour, from Old French tuteur (French tuteur), from Latin tūtor (“a watcher, protector, guardian”), from tueor (“protect”); see tuition.

Etymology 2

Ellipsis of Demonic tutor, name of an early Magic: The Gathering card with this effect.

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