mentor

1 of 2

noun

men·​tor ˈmen-ˌtȯr 

-tər

1

capitalized : a friend of Odysseus entrusted with the education of Odysseus' son Telemachus

2

a

: a trusted counselor or guide

a mentor who, because he is detached and disinterested, can hold up a mirror to us

—P. W. Keve

b

: tutor, coach

The student sought a mentor in chemistry.

mentor

2 of 2

verb

mentored; mentoring; mentors

transitive verb

: to serve as a mentor for : tutor

Synonyms

Verb

• coach
• counsel
• guide
• lead
• pilot
• shepherd
• show
• tutor

Examples of mentor in a Sentence

Noun

After college, her professor became her close friend and mentor.

He needed a mentor to teach him about the world of politics.

We volunteer as mentors to disadvantaged children.

young boys in need of mentors

Verb

The young intern was mentored by the country's top heart surgeon.

Our program focuses on mentoring teenagers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Verizon will serve as a supporting partner for City in the Community’s night leagues program, a youth weekend soccer program that provides New York City youth a safe space to play and connects participants to mentors to improve their career and college readiness. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2024

After making a name for himself with dramatic performances in Schindler’s List and Kinsey, the Irish actor played mentor roles in films like Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Batman Begins. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

When older and younger people come together through a mutual mentoring program, both sides benefit. —Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

The actress, who has been lauded for guest roles in Taika Waititi’s Time Bandits and Stan and Roku megachurch drama Prosper, will receive mentoring from Scrublands star Bella Heathcote as part of a package worth $60,000. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

as name borrowed from Latin Mentōr, borrowed from Greek Méntōr; as generic noun borrowed from French mentor, after Mentor, character in the novel Les aventures de Télémaque (1699) by the French cleric and writer François Fénelon (1651-1715), based on characters in the Odyssey

Note: In Fénelon's work Mentor is a principal character, and his speeches and advice to Telemachus during their travels constitute much of the book's substance.

Verb

derivative of mentor entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1918, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

mentor

1 of 2 noun

men·​tor ˈmen-ˌtȯ(ə)r 

ˈment-ər

: a wise and faithful adviser or teacher

mentor

2 of 2 verb

: to serve as a mentor for : tutor

a volunteer who mentors students

Geographical Definition

Mentor

geographical name

Men·​tor ˈmen-tər 

city in northeastern Ohio northeast of Cleveland population 47,159