tutor

1 of 2

noun

tu·​tor ˈtü-tər 

ˈtyü-

: a person charged with the instruction and guidance of another: such as

a

: a private teacher

b

: a teacher in a British university who gives individual instruction to undergraduates

tutor

2 of 2

verb

tutored; tutoring; tutors

transitive verb

1

: to teach or guide usually individually in a special subject or for a particular purpose : coach

2

: to have the guardianship, tutelage, or care of

intransitive verb

1

: to do the work of a tutor

2

: to receive instruction especially privately

Synonyms

Verb

• educate
• indoctrinate
• instruct
• lesson
• school
• teach
• train

Examples of tutor in a Sentence

Noun

I got a tutor to help me with my homework.

He is a tutor in European history.

Verb

She earned extra money tutoring in the evening.

bought a video series designed to tutor a person in the fine art of decorating cakes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Volunteering as a tutor can highlight a student’s mastery of a particular subject and teaching abilities. —Kristen Moon, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

Things take a turn when Edward’s tutor (a well-cast David Morrissey) turns up dead after an evening spent discussing his pupil’s plans. —Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025

Verb

But the most important part of Flacco’s job description in his second stint in Cleveland will be to help tutor the quarterback the team drafts, who’s likely to finish the 2025 season starting. —Zac Jackson, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Relying on one job is risky, so explore side gigs, driving for rideshare apps, tutoring online, or selling a skill on platforms like Upwork. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tutour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin tutor, from tueri

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for tutor

• neuter
• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

tutor

1 of 2 noun

tu·​tor ˈt(y)üt-ər 

: a person who has the responsibility of instructing and guiding another

tutor

2 of 2 verb

: to teach usually individually

Legal Definition

tutor

noun

tu·​tor ˈtü-tər, ˈtyü-tər 

in the civil law of Louisiana : a guardian of a minor or sometimes of a person with mental retardation compare committee, conservator, curator

tutorship noun