mentor
gb/mˈɛntɔɹ/ us/mˈɛntɔɹ/
B2
English
~ 9500
mentor, mentorál
NOUN
B2
1
mentor
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s mentor; a mentor to [someone]
She found a mentor at her first company who helped her grow into a confident manager.
Az első munkahelyén talált egy mentort, aki segített neki magabiztos vezetővé válni.
As a young writer, he considered his English teacher his most important mentor.
Fiatal íróként az angoltanárát tartotta a legfontosabb mentorának.
New employees are each paired with a mentor during their first six months.
He has served as a mentor to dozens of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Having a good mentor can make a huge difference early in your career.
Learner examples
My mentor at work helps me make big decisions.
A munkahelyi mentorom segít meghozni a fontos döntéseket.
At university, each new student gets a mentor.
Az egyetemen minden új hallgató kap egy mentort.
He is a mentor to many young engineers.
I see her as my mentor and friend.
A good mentor listens and gives honest advice.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a mentor must be an official teacher or boss. In fact, a mentor is usually someone you choose or trust, and the relationship can be informal. Another mistake is using 'mentor' to describe a short, one-time meeting; a mentor relationship is usually long term.
Meaning
experienced advisor and role model
Collocations
career mentor
|trusted mentor
|personal mentor
|academic mentor
|business mentor
|mentor figure
Synonyms
advisor (Focuses more on giving advice, not necessarily a long-term personal relationship.)
|
coach (Often used for improving a specific skill or performance, sometimes in sports or business.)
|
guide (More general and can be used outside work or study, for example in life choices.)
|
role model (Emphasizes being someone you want to be like, not always someone who actively gives advice.)
Antonyms
mentee (The opposite role in the relationship: the person being guided by the mentor.)
|
novice (Focuses on someone who is new and inexperienced, not someone who guides others.)
Themes
work
|education
|relationships
|personal_development
Definition
A person with more experience who helps and guides you over time in your work, study, or life.
A more experienced and trusted person who gives ongoing advice, guidance, and support to someone less experienced, especially in their career, studies, or personal development.
VERB
B2
2
mentorál
C1
Usage pattern:
to mentor [someone]; to mentor [group of people]
Senior engineers are encouraged to mentor junior team members during their first projects.
A senior mérnököket arra bátorítják, hogy az első projektjeik során mentorálják a junior csapattagokat.
She now mentors young entrepreneurs who are starting their own companies.
Most olyan fiatal vállalkozókat mentorál, akik saját céget indítanak.
He volunteered to mentor students from local high schools interested in science.
Throughout my career, I have tried to mentor others the way my own manager mentored me.
The program trains professionals to mentor refugees as they enter the job market.
Learner examples
She mentors new workers in our office.
Az irodánkban ő mentorálja az új dolgozókat.
I want to mentor students who come from my old school.
Olyan diákokat szeretnék mentorálni, akik az egykori iskolámból jönnek.
He mentored me when I started this job.
They mentor young people after school every week.
My boss mentors two interns this year.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"mentor to someone"* as a verb (e.g., *"He mentors to me"*). In standard English, you say *"He mentors me"* or *"He is a mentor to me"*. Another mistake is using it for one short meeting; mentoring usually happens over a longer time.
Meaning
to guide and support someone
Collocations
mentor young people
|mentor new staff
|mentor students
|actively mentor
|mentor someone through [a process]
Synonyms
coach (Often suggests more structured training, feedback, or practice, especially for skills or performance.)
|
advise (Can refer to giving single pieces of advice and does not always imply a long-term relationship.)
|
guide (General word for helping someone find the right path or choice; less specific about long-term support.)
Antonyms
neglect (To fail to give someone the help and attention they need, the opposite of careful mentoring.)
|
mislead (To give bad or false guidance, the opposite of responsible mentoring.)
Themes
work
|education
|personal_development
|relationships
Definition
To help and guide a less-experienced person over time, giving them advice and support.
To guide, advise, and support someone less experienced over a period of time, especially in their career, studies, or personal development.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mentor
IPA
GB/mˈɛntɔɹ/
US/mˈɛntɔɹ/
Syllables & stress
ment - or (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ment)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mentor
- Plural: mentors
Verb
- Base: mentor
- 3rd Person Singular: mentors
- Present Participle: mentoring
- Past: mentored
Word family
Forms
mentors
noun
mentoring
verb
mentored
verb
Core family
mentee
noun
Related words
mentorship
noun
Expressions
find a mentor
1/fˈaɪnd ə mˈɛntɔɹ/
fixed phrase
look for someone to mentor you
To search for and choose a more-experienced person who will guide and help you over time.
Examples
- If you want to grow quickly in your career, try to find a mentor you respect.
- At the start of the course, students are encouraged to find a mentor in their field.
mentor and mentee
1/mˈɛntɔɹ ˈænd mˈɛntˈi/
fixed phrase
the guiding pair relationship
The two people in a mentoring relationship: the mentor (the guide) and the mentee (the person being guided).
Examples
- Each mentor and mentee meet at least once a month to discuss goals.
- The program carefully matches mentor and mentee based on interests and experience.
mentor figure
1/mˈɛntɔɹ fˈɪɡjɚ/
fixed phrase
person who acts like a mentor
Someone who is not your official mentor but who guides and supports you like a mentor.
Examples
- Over the years, she became a mentor figure to many younger colleagues.
- He was more than just a manager; he was a mentor figure in my life.
mentor program
1/mˈɛntɔɹ pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
organized mentoring scheme
An official plan in a company, school, or group that brings mentors and mentees together.
Examples
- The company launched a mentor program to support new graduates.
- Our university runs a mentor program that connects students with alumni.
serve as a mentor
1/sˈɚv ˈæz ə mˈɛntɔɹ/
fixed phrase
act in the role of mentor
To take the role of a mentor and give long-term help and guidance to someone.
Examples
- Several experienced nurses volunteered to serve as mentors for the new hires.
- He now serves as a mentor to young lawyers in the firm.