teacher

teacher — noun

1. someone who gives lessons and helps students learn at a school or similar place

1.nounA1
Definition

someone who gives lessons and helps students learn at a school or similar place of education

Example

Ms. Élise has worked as a primary school teacher for twelve years.

collocation: primary school teacher

The teacher asked her students to finish their science projects by Friday.

Common collocations
  • primary school teacher
  • experienced teacher
  • qualified teacher
  • substitute teacher
  • homeroom teacher
  • teacher of English / mathematics / science
Synonyms
  • instructor

    often used for physical activities, practical skills, or short courses (a driving instructor)

  • educator

    broader and more formal; includes anyone who contributes to learning, not just classroom teaching

  • tutor

    gives individual or small-group lessons, often outside regular school hours

  • lecturer

    teaches at a university or college, usually on a specific subject

Antonyms
  • student

    a person who is learning from a teacher

  • learner

    a person who is gaining knowledge or skill

Grammar Patterns

teacher + of + subject

possessive + teacher

subject + teacher (compound noun)

Usage Note

In English, 'teacher' is not used as a form of direct address — students typically use Mr./Ms./Mrs. + last name (American English) or Sir/Miss (British English). Common before a subject name to form a compound noun (math teacher, music teacher, English teacher).

Common Mistakes

Good morning, Teacher!
Good morning, Ms. Chen!
In English, 'teacher' is not a title; use Mr./Ms. + last name when addressing a teacher directly.
She is a teacher of English since 2010.
She has been a teacher of English since 2010.
The word 'since' requires the present perfect tense, not the present simple.
I want to be a teacher at university.
I want to be a university lecturer.
In English, 'teacher' usually refers to school-level educators; for university, use 'lecturer' or 'professor'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Teacher is the broad, everyday word for a person who helps students learn at a school. Instructor is used more narrowly for practical or physical skills (a driving instructor, a swim instructor). Educator is more formal and includes anyone involved in the learning process, such as curriculum designers or school administrators. Tutor gives one-on-one or small-group instruction, often outside school hours or for remedial purposes. Lecturer and professor are limited to higher education: a lecturer teaches university courses, while a professor holds the highest academic rank and typically also conducts research. For example, a student might have an English teacher during the day and a math tutor in the evening; at university, a history lecturer might lead a course while a full professor supervises doctoral students.

instructor ↗educator ↗tutor ↗lecturerprofessor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • teacher training
  • teacher's assistant
  • teacher-parent meeting
  • substitute teacher
  • homeroom teacher

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Teacher comes from the Old English word 'tǣcan', which meant 'to show, point out, or instruct'. The agent suffix '-er' was added to form 'tǣcere', referring to a person who performs this action. Over time, the word evolved through Middle English 'techen' into modern 'teach', and 'teacher' became the standard term for a person whose job is to guide learning.