teach

teach — verb

1. to show or guide someone so they gain knowledge of a subject or learn a skill

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA2
Definition

to show or guide someone so they gain knowledge of a subject or learn a skill

Example

Gabriel taught his younger brother to ride a bike last summer.

teach + person + to-infinitive

Their teacher teaches the class new English words every morning.

teach + person + [subject]

Common collocations
  • teach someone a lesson
  • teach someone a skill
  • teach a subject
  • teach a class
  • teach someone how to do something
Synonyms
  • instruct

    more formal; suggests a structured, step-by-step approach

  • train

    focuses on developing a specific practical skill over time

  • educate

    broader; refers to overall intellectual and moral development

  • tutor

    one-on-one teaching, often outside a regular school setting

Antonyms
  • learn

    the person receiving knowledge rather than giving it

Grammar Patterns

teach + [person] + [subject]

teach + [person] + to-infinitive

teach + [person] + how/why/what + to-infinitive

teach + [person] + that-clause

teach + [person] + [noun phrase]

Usage Note

This is the most common use of 'teach'. You can teach a person (teach someone), a subject (teach math), or both together (teach someone math). It can also be followed by how or what plus a to-infinitive (teach someone how to swim).

Common Mistakes

She learned me English.
She taught me English.
'teach' means to give knowledge; 'learn' means to receive it.
He taught to me driving.
He taught me to drive.
'teach' does not take 'to' before the person; the person comes directly after the verb.

2. to have the job of giving lessons to students at a school or similar institution

2.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

to have the job of giving lessons to students at a school or similar institution

Example

Arjun teaches at a big school in the city.

teach + at + [school]

Amelia teaches English to students from other countries in her class.

teach + [subject] + to + [group]

Common collocations
  • teach at a school
  • teach in a school
  • teach at a university
  • teach English
  • teach history
Synonyms
  • instruct

    more formal; can be used for any structured teaching situation

  • lecture

    specific to university-level or large-group formal teaching

Antonyms
  • study

    the student's action rather than the teacher's

Grammar Patterns

teach + at/in + [school or institution]

teach + [subject] + to + [group of students]

Usage Note

This sense is intransitive — it describes the job or role of being a teacher, not the act of giving a specific lesson. It is most often followed by at or in to specify the school or institution.

Common Mistakes

I teach in a teacher.
I teach at a school.
'teach' in this sense is followed by a place (school, college), not a person's role.
I am teaching math.' (when meaning working as a teacher as a profession)
I teach math at a high school.
To make the profession clear, include a place.
Idioms

teach someone a lesson

idiom

to show someone that certain actions have bad results, so that they do not repeat those actions

Losing all his money in that bad deal taught him a hard lesson about trusting strangers.

you can't teach an old dog new tricks

idiom

said when someone is too old or set in their ways to learn new skills or change their habits

I tried to show my grandfather how to use the phone, but he said you cannot teach an old dog new tricks.

teach your grandmother to suck eggs

idiom

To give advice to someone who already knows more than you do about the subject.

Mia tried to explain baking to her grandmother, but she was teaching her grandmother to suck eggs.

Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs; Sara has been a chef for twenty years.

(you can’t) teach an old dog new tricks

idiom

It is very difficult to change someone's long-established habits or methods.

My dad refuses to use a smartphone; you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Aiden tried to teach his grandfather to use email, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

teach to the test

idiom

To focus instruction only on material that will appear on a specific exam, ignoring broader learning.

The school was criticized for teaching to the test instead of encouraging creativity.

Many teachers feel pressured to teach to the test because of strict school policies.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Teach is the most general word for giving someone knowledge or showing them how to do something. Instruct is more formal and often suggests a step-by-step method, such as when an instructor teaches a particular procedure. Educate is broader and includes moral, intellectual, and social development over a long period. Train focuses on developing a practical skill through repeated practice, like training someone to use a tool. Tutor refers to one-on-one teaching, usually outside of regular school hours. For example, a maths teacher teaches the whole class, but you might hire a private tutor to help your child with homework. A driving instructor instructs you on road rules, and a coach trains you for a sport.

instruct ↗educate ↗train ↗tutor ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'teach' comes from Old English 'tæcan', meaning 'to show, point out, or instruct', which traces back to Proto-Germanic 'taikijaną' (to show). It shares a root with 'token' (something that shows or indicates). The modern sense of giving lessons developed in Middle English.