teach

verb

ˈtēch 

taught ˈtȯt  ; teaching

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to know something

taught them a trade

b

: to cause to know how

is teaching me to drive

c

: to accustom to some action or attitude

teach students to think for themselves

d

: to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action

I'll teach you to come home late

2

: to guide the studies of

3

: to impart the knowledge of

teach algebra

4

a

: to instruct by precept, example, or experience

b

: to make known and accepted

experience teaches us our limitations

5

: to conduct instruction regularly in

teach school

intransitive verb

: to provide instruction : act as a teacher

Synonyms

• educate
• indoctrinate
• instruct
• lesson
• school
• train
• tutor

Choose the Right Synonym for teach

teach, instruct, educate, train, discipline, school mean to cause to acquire knowledge or skill.

teach applies to any manner of imparting information or skill so that others may learn.

taught us a lot about our planet

instruct suggests methodical or formal teaching.

instructs raw recruits in military drill

educate implies development of the mind.

more things than formal schooling serve to educate a person

train stresses instruction and drill with a specific end in view.

trained foreign pilots to operate the new aircraft

discipline implies training in habits of order and precision.

a disciplined mind

school implies training or disciplining especially in what is hard to master.

schooled the horse in five gaits

Examples of teach in a Sentence

He enjoys teaching his students about history.

She taught English for many years at the high school.

The church teaches compassion and forgiveness.

Someone needs to teach her right and wrong.

The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything.

Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife.

Recent Examples on the Web

How much weight a child can lift is far less important than teaching them good movement patterns. —Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024

Many readers have told me my booklet has served as a valuable tool in teaching their children basic good manners. —Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

Daniel Hunter, founder of Choose Democracy, an organization that provides resources to help Americans prepare for an undemocratic power grab, says his experience in activism has taught him that the solution isn’t to bury your head in the sand or jump to the worst-case scenario. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 11 Nov. 2024

Ada County sent three people to eastern Idaho to teach some basics. —Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English techen to show, instruct, from Old English tǣcan; akin to Old English tācn sign — more at token entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing teach

• practice-teach
• show/teach (someone) a trick or two
• teach-in
• teach (someone) a lesson
• you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Kids Definition

teach

verb

ˈtēch 

taught ˈtȯt  ; teaching

1

: to assist in learning how to do something : show how

teach a child to read

2

: to guide the studies of : instruct

teach a class

3

: to give lessons in : instruct pupils in

teach music

4

: to be a teacher

5

: to cause to learn : cause to know the effects of an action

the experience taught him to be more careful