A guru is a person who some people regard as an expert or leader.
Fashion gurus dictate crazy ideas such as squeezing oversized bodies into tight trousers.
Synonyms: authority, expert, leader, master More Synonyms of guru
2. countable noun & title noun
A guru is a religious and spiritual leader and teacher, especially in Hinduism.
More Synonyms of guru
guru in British English
(ˈɡʊruː, ˈɡuːruː)
noun
1.
a Hindu or Sikh religious teacher or leader, giving personal spiritual guidance to his disciples
2. often derogatory
a leader or chief theoretician of a movement, esp a spiritual or religious cult
3. often facetious
a leading authority in a particular field
a cricketing guru
Derived forms
guruship (ˈguruˌship)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Hindi gurū, from Sanskrit guruh weighty
guru in American English
(ˈguˌru; ˈgʊrˌu; also gʊˈru; gəˈru)
noun
1.
in Hinduism, one's personal spiritual advisor or teacher
2.
any leader highly regarded by a group of followers
sometimes used derisively
Word origin
Hindi guru < Sans guruḥ, venerable, orig. heavy < IE *gweru- < base *gwer- > grave1
Examples of 'guru' in a sentence
guru
But other teachers and gurus have left their stamp.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Some style guru is bound to make a link with the economic storms that have lashed our islands.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
No, the pressure comes from female fashion gurus.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
For more flamboyant houses worthy of a fashion guru, visit timesonline.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Dealing with people and domestic problems has given her experience of life often more effective than all the theorists, experts and gurus put together.
Shapiro, Jean Get the Best out of the Rest of Your Life (1990)
Find a suitably grown-up style guru or go-to shop or website for guidance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
That is the question you should be asking yourself, according to a fashion guru who... designs handbags.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
guru
British English: guru NOUN
A guru is a person who some people regard as an expert or leader.
Fashion gurus dictate crazy ideas such as squeezing oversized bodies into tight trousers.
American English: guru
Brazilian Portuguese: guru
Chinese: 专家
European Spanish: gurú
French: gourou
German: Guru
Italian: guru
Japanese: 指導者
Korean: 지도자
European Portuguese: guru
Latin American Spanish: gurú
1 (noun)
Definition
a leader or adviser of a person or group of people
fashion gurus dictating crazy ideas
Synonyms
authority
Professor Ahmed is an authority on Russian affairs.
expert
an expert in computer graphics
leader
the leader of the Conservative Party
master
He is a master at blocking progress.
pundit
a well-known political pundit
arbiter
Sequins have often aroused the scorn of arbiters of taste.
Svengali
torchbearer
fundi (South Africa)
The local fundi are wonderfully adept and have created a car adapted to hunting.
2 (noun)
Definition
a Hindu or Sikh religious teacher or leader
He set himself up as a faith healer and spiritual guru.
Synonyms
teacher
I'm a teacher with 21 years' experience.
mentor
She has sacked her coach and mentor and is now relying on her father.
sage
ancient Chinese sages
master
her mission to meet her spiritual master
tutor
He surprised his tutors by failing the exam.
mahatma
guiding light
swami
maharishi
Additional synonyms
in the sense of arbiter
Definition
a person with influential opinions about something
Sequins have often aroused the scorn of arbiters of taste.
Synonyms
authority,
expert,
master,
governor,
ruler,
dictator,
controller,
lord,
pundit
in the sense of expert
Definition
a person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field
an expert in computer graphics
Synonyms
specialist,
authority,
professional,
master,
pro (informal),
ace (informal),
genius,
guru,
pundit,
buff (informal),
wizard,
adept,
whizz (informal),
maestro,
virtuoso,
connoisseur,
boffin (British, informal),
hotshot (informal),
rocket scientist (informal),
past master,
dab hand (British, informal),
wonk (informal),
maven (US),
fundi (South Africa),
geek (informal)
in the sense of fundi
Definition
an expert
The local fundi are wonderfully adept and have created a car adapted to hunting.