mentor

Everyday

1. An experienced and trusted person who helps and advises a younger or less experienced person over time. tree →
2. (verb) To help and guide someone in this way. tree →
3. (a name, Greek myth) Mentor was Odysseus's friend, who helped his son Telemachus – this is where the word comes from. tree →

In the lessons

In school, older pupils may mentor younger ones (a «buddy» or «peer mentor» scheme); new teachers have mentors too. In sport and jobs, a mentor helps you learn the ropes. In stories, a wise mentor guides the hero (like a wizard teaching a young apprentice). Phrases: «a peer mentor», «mentoring scheme», «my mentor».

Examples

• My mentor in Year 6 helped me settle into school. tree →
• Our coach mentors the younger players. tree →
• In many stories, the hero has a wise old mentor. tree →
• She became a reading mentor for the infants. tree →
• A good mentor listens and gives honest advice. tree →
• The new teacher was mentored by an experienced colleague. tree →
• In the Odyssey, Mentor gave advice to young Telemachus. tree →
• Being a mentor helped him learn too. tree →

Note

Countable: one mentor, two mentors. Regular verb: mentored, mentoring. The person helped is a «mentee». Not the same as «menthol» or «mental». Not a maths word.