guru

noun

gu·​ru ˈgu̇r-(ˌ)ü 

ˈgü-(ˌ)rü,

 also  gə-ˈrü

plural gurus

1

: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2

a

: a teacher and especially intellectual guide in matters of fundamental concern

has been a guru to many young writers

b

: one who is an acknowledged leader or chief proponent

became the guru of the movement

c

: a person with knowledge or expertise : expert

a computer guru

Did you know?

In Hinduism, a guru is a personal spiritual teacher. In ancient India, knowledge of the Vedas (a body of liturgical literature) was transmitted orally from guru to pupil. The rise of the bhakti movement, which emphasizes the love of devotees for a personal god, further increased the importance of gurus, who were often looked on as living embodiments of spiritual truth and were identified with the deity. Gurus prescribe spiritual disciplines to their devotees, who follow their dictates in a tradition of service and obedience. Men or women may be gurus, though generally only men have established lineages.

Synonyms

• ace
• adept
• artist
• authority
• cognoscente
• connoisseur
• crackerjack
• crackajack
• dab [chiefly British]
• dab hand [chiefly British]
• expert
• fiend
• geek
• hand
• hotshot
• maestro
• master
• maven
• mavin
• meister
• past master
• proficient
• scholar
• shark
• sharp
• virtuoso
• whiz
• wizard

Examples of guru in a Sentence

He has been a guru to many young writers.

She's a self-proclaimed financial guru.

Fitness gurus call it the hottest new exercise trend of the year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our species is used to telling stories: culture-clash fables that turn these independent beings into pets or pals or protectors or spiritual gurus. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Trump's comments come before fundraiser The posts preceded, by a few hours, a Saturday night fundraiser in which the Trump campaign expected to pocket close to $50 million from a gathering in Palm Beach at the house of hedge fund guru John Paulson. —USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

Sovereign-citizen guru David Straight has also posited a wild conspiracy called Operation Balloon, claiming that the government, using the eclipse blackout as cover, will deploy balloons filled with poisonous gas. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 5 Apr. 2024

These gummy rings are the product of a collaboration between CBD gurus and a candy manufacturer. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Fitness guru Jillian Michaels and wife DeShanna Marie Minuto are still in wedded bliss. —Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

To the interviewees, many of whom have interacted with or worked alongside Altman, the tech guru’s combination of lofty rhetoric and cult-of-personality has grown tiresome. —Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024

Some of the most popular of these advice gurus are encouraging women to turn dating into a game of strategy. —Angela Yang, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2024

Jeremiah Brent, who will Bobby Berk as the Netflix series’ design guru, is ready to start filming season 9. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Sanskrit guru, from guru, adjective, heavy, venerable — more at grieve

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

guru

noun

gu·​ru gə-ˈrü 

ˈgu̇(ə)r-ü

1

: a personal religious teacher and spiritual guide in Hinduism

2

a

: a person that is generally recognized as a leader or teacher

b

: a person with knowledge and expertise : expert

Etymology

from gurū, a word in Hindi (the major language in India) meaning "Hindu teacher or spiritual guide," derived from Sanskrit guru (adjective) "worthy of respect"