DictionaryAI

teacher

noun
TEE-chur/ˈtit͡ʃɚ/TEE-chuh/ˈtiːt͡ʃə/

Pluralteachers

4 meanings of teacher

Practice

  1. 1
    instructornouncountable
    A person who teaches others, especially someone employed in a school to instruct students.

    The teacher spent years helping struggling readers gain confidence.

    Every teacher at the school attended the morning training session.

    UsageOften after a subject: a math teacher. To address one, usually Mr. or Ms. plus the family name (not incorrect: Teacher Lee).

    Similareducator, instructor, tutor

    Oppositestudent, pupil

  2. 2
    lessonnouncountable
    Something, such as past experience, that serves as an indication of what to expect or as a lesson.

    Failure is often a better teacher than success, because it makes you look closely at what went wrong.

    History can be a patient teacher, though few leaders seem willing to sit through its lessons.

    UsageOften the best teacher or a good teacher, as in experience is the best teacher.

    Similarguide, lesson

Less common meanings

  1. 3
    noun
    In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the office of the Aaronic priesthood above deacon and below priest, open to young men from the year they turn fourteen.
  2. 4
    nounrare
    The index finger, the first finger of the hand, beside the thumb.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English techere, formed from the verb "teach" plus the suffix "-er," meaning one who teaches.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts