Definition

1. Noun:

   • A wise and trusted guide and advisor: A "mentor" is an experienced person who advises and helps a less experienced person over a period of time, especially in a professional or educational context.
   • A teacher or counselor: A "mentor" serves as a teacher or trusted counselor, providing guidance based on their own knowledge and experience.

2. Verb:

   • To serve as a teacher or trusted counselor: To "mentor" someone means to act as their mentor, providing advice, support, and guidance to help them develop skills or navigate a particular field.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She found a great mentor in her first job who taught her everything about the industry.
  • The young scientist considered her professor a valuable mentor.

• Verb:

  • He volunteered to mentor new employees during their onboarding process.
  • Senior engineers often mentor junior team members on complex projects.

Advanced Usage

• "to mentor someone in/on something": to guide someone specifically in a particular area or skill.

  • She mentored him in the art of public speaking.

• "to be mentored by someone": to receive guidance from a mentor.

  • Many successful executives were mentored by industry veterans early in their careers.

Variants and Related Words

• Mentorship (n): The guidance provided by a mentor; the relationship between a mentor and mentee.

  • The company's formal mentorship program pairs new hires with senior staff.

• Mentee (n): A person who is advised, trained, or counseled by a mentor.

  • As a mentee, she was eager to learn from her mentor's experience.

Synonyms

• Adviser/Advisor: One who gives advice.
• Guide: One who leads or directs another's way, especially through unknown or difficult areas.
• Coach: One who trains or instructs, especially in a specific skill or for a particular purpose.

Related Phrases

• Peer mentor: A mentor who is at a similar level of experience but has more knowledge in a specific area.

  • The university uses peer mentors to help first-year students adjust.

• Reverse mentoring: A situation where a younger or less experienced employee mentors a senior colleague, often on topics like technology or current trends.

  • The CEO participated in a reverse mentoring program to learn about social media.

Related Idioms

• Take someone under one's wing: To act as a mentor or protector to someone. (This idiom conveys a similar meaning of guidance and protection.)
  • The senior partner took the new lawyer under her wing.

Noun

1. a wise and trusted guide and advisor

Verb

1. serve as a teacher or trusted counselor
   • The famous professor mentored him during his years in graduate school
   • She is a fine lecturer but she doesn't like mentoring