mentor

mentor — noun

1. Someone with more knowledge or skill who takes on the role of guiding and suppor

1.nounB1
Definition

Someone with more knowledge or skill who takes on the role of guiding and supporting the development of a less experienced person, typically in a workplace or educational setting over an extended period.

Example

Noor's mentor at the law firm helped her prepare for her first court appearance.

possessive: [person]'s mentor

The university assigns each new graduate student a faculty mentor for their research.

passive: assign [someone] a mentor

Common collocations
  • act as a mentor
  • serve as a mentor
  • find a mentor
  • become a mentor
  • mentor to [someone]
Synonyms
  • advisor

    more formal; often refers to a professional giving specialised guidance (financial advisor, academic advisor)

  • coach

    focuses on improving a specific skill or performance, especially in sports or public speaking

  • guide

    emphasises showing the way through unfamiliar territory, often less formal than mentor

Antonyms
  • student

    the person being mentored rather than the one providing guidance

Usage Note

Frequently appears with possessive determiners (my mentor, her mentor) and after verbs like 'act as' or 'serve as'. The relationship is personal and ongoing — contrast with 'teacher', who instructs a group on a subject.

Common Mistakes

My teacher at work showed me how to use the system.
My mentor at work showed me how to use the system.
A mentor gives personal guidance over time, not just formal instruction.

mentor — verb

Word family

  • mentoring
    nounB2
  • mentorship
    nounB2
  • mentored
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to someone who helps another person learn or make decisions, but they differ in context and duration. An 'advisor' gives specialised, often formal recommendations — typically in finance, academia, or law — and may not interact regularly. A 'coach' works on a specific skill or performance area (sports, public speaking, career transition) with measurable goals and a shorter time frame. A 'tutor' provides subject-specific academic instruction, usually one-on-one, with a focus on content mastery rather than holistic personal growth. A 'guide' is more informal and can be situational, like a hiking guide or a guide through a new workplace. A 'mentor' combines all these elements: the relationship is personal, ongoing, and covers both professional development and broader life/career advice. For example, your advisor might tell you which courses to take, but your mentor would also ask why you chose that field and help you navigate challenges in your career path.

advisorcoach ↗tutor ↗guide ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • mentor programme
  • mentor relationship
  • mentor role

Adverbs

  • actively mentor
  • personally mentor
  • closely mentor

Phrases

  • act as a mentor
  • serve as a mentor
  • take on a mentoring role

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'mentor' comes from Homer's ancient Greek epic, the Odyssey. In the story, Mentor is a trusted friend of the hero Odysseus. When Odysseus leaves for war, he puts Mentor in charge of his son Telemachus, making Mentor responsible for the boy's education and guidance. Over centuries, the character's name became a common noun in English meaning a wise and trusted teacher or adviser. The modern use as a verb — 'to mentor someone' — developed in the 1900s as workplaces and schools began to formalise these guidance relationships.