Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense teaches, present participle teaching, past tense, past participle taught
1. verb
If you teach someone something, you give them instructions so that they know about it or how to do it.
The trainers have a programme to teach them vocational skills. [VERB noun noun]
George had taught him how to ride a horse. [VERB noun wh]
She taught Julie to read. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
The computer has simplified the difficult task of teaching reading to deaf people. [VERB noun + to]
Synonyms: show, train, demonstrate More Synonyms of teach
2. verb
To teach someone something means to make them think, feel, or act in a new or different way.
Their daughter's death had taught him humility. [VERB noun noun]
He taught his followers that they could all be members of the kingdom of God. [VERB noun that]
Teach them to voice their feelings. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
[Also V n + about]
3. verb
If you teach or teach a subject, you help students to learn about it by explaining it or showing them how to do it, usually as a job at a school, college, or university.
Ingrid is currently teaching Mathematics at Shimla Public School. [VERB noun]
The topic is not taught in degree courses. [VERB noun]
She taught English to Japanese business people. [VERB noun + to]
She has taught for 34 years. [VERB]
She taught children French. [VERB noun noun]
...this twelve month taught course. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: give lessons in, lecture in, give instruction in, tutor More Synonyms of teach
4. See also teaching
5. to teach someone a lesson
More Synonyms of teach
teach in British English
(tiːtʃ)
verbWord forms: teaches, teaching or taught
1. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive; often foll byhow)
to help to learn; tell or show (how)
to teach someone to paint
to teach someone how to paint
2.
to give instruction or lessons in (a subject) to (a person or animal)
to teach French
to teach children
she teaches
3. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to cause to learn or understand
experience taught him that he could not be a journalist
4. Also: teach someone a lesson informal
to cause (someone) to suffer the unpleasant consequences of some action or behaviour
Derived forms
teachable (ˈteachable)
adjective
Word origin
Old English tǣcan; related to tācentoken, Old Frisian tēken, Old Saxon tēkan, Old High German zeihhan, Old Norse teikn sign
Teach in British English
(tiːtʃ)
noun
Edward, known as Blackbeard. died 1718, English pirate, active in the West Indies and on the Atlantic coast of North America
Teach in American English
(titʃ)
see Blackbeard
teach in American English
(titʃ)
verb transitiveWord forms: taught or ˈteaching
1.
to show or help (a person) to learn (how) to do something
to teach a child (how) to swim
2.
to give lessons to (a student, pupil, or class); guide the studies of; instruct
3.
to give lessons in (a subject) to someone; help someone to develop (a skill or trait)
teaches French, taught him self-discipline
4.
a.
to provide (a person) with knowledge, insight, etc.
the accident that taught her to be careful
b.
to attempt to cause someone to understand or accept (a precept or philosophy), esp. by one's own example or preaching
her life itself teaches nonviolence
5.
to give instruction at or in (a place)
to teach school
verb intransitive
6.
to give lessons or instruction; be a teacher, esp. in a school or college
SYNONYMY NOTE: teach is the basic, inclusive word for the imparting of knowledge or skills and usuallyconnotes some individual attention to the learner [he taught her how to skate]; instruct implies systematized teaching, usually in some particular subject [she instructs in chemistry]; educate stresses the development of latent faculties and powers by formal, systematic teaching,esp. in institutions of higher learning [he was educated in European universities]; train implies the development of a particular faculty or skill, or instruction toward aparticular occupation, as by methodical discipline, exercise, etc. [he was trained as a mechanic]; school1, often equivalent to any of the preceding, sometimes specifically connotes a discipliningto endure something difficult [he had to school himself to obedience]
Derived forms
teachability (ˌteachaˈbility)
noun or ˈteachableness
teachable (ˈteachable)
adjective
teachably (ˈteachably)
adverb
Word origin
ME techen < OE tæcan < base of tacn, a sign, symbol (see token); basic sense “to show, demonstrate,” as in Ger zeigen
More idioms containing
teach
teach your grandmother to suck eggs
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
Examples of 'teach' in a sentence
teach
What lessons will you teach your daughter about values and money?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The old teach us more about what it is to be human.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He taught himself about websites and as a result found a job at a fishing shop.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Rowing was his sport and at secondary school he worked with a coach who improved his technique and taught him about life.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Teach them about cognitive bias.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
My grandmother, who taught me about courage, hard work and big dreams.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They will know about it only if they've gone online and looked at websites, or been taught about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He is also teaching her to paint.
The Sun (2011)
Yet teachers often lack the training to teach these subjects.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Should we teach facts or learning skills?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What rational teacher wants to teach a complex subject when they can teach exam criteria instead?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He had to learn to teach mere mortals.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This means that all pupils should be taught by subject specialists.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What did that teach you about yourself?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The problem is that very few teachers are qualified to teach the subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She wants the subject to be taught in a more measured way.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My business is to teach the subject so well that no one can take the job away from me.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
The report found that many teachers were not confident in teaching the subject and had little opportunity to improve their knowledge.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can put your ideas across in a clear and convincing way and you will discover a gift for learning and teaching.
The Sun (2010)
Everything they have been taught they learnt here but they haven't been taught verymuch.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He came from a family of painters and decorators, and was taught how to paint in lettering by his father.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You're either learning or teaching.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The plaintiff was the only female to teach in the School of Theology.
Christianity Today (2000)
His father, who taught him to paint, was a fishmonger.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
teach
British English: teach /tiːtʃ/ VERB
If you teach someone something, you give them instructions so that they know about it or know how to do it.
His father had taught him how to ride a horse.
American English: teach
Arabic: يُعَلِّمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: ensinar
Chinese: 讲授
Croatian: podučavati
Czech: učit
Danish: lære instruere
Dutch: onderwijzen
European Spanish: enseñar
Finnish: opettaa
French: enseigner
German: lehren
Greek: διδάσκω
Italian: insegnare
Japanese: 教える
Korean: 가르치다
Norwegian: undervise
Polish: nauczyć
European Portuguese: ensinar
Romanian: a învăța
Russian: учить
Latin American Spanish: enseñar
Swedish: undervisa
Thai: สอน
Turkish: öğretmek
Ukrainian: навчати
Vietnamese: dạy học
All related terms of 'teach'
teach-in
A teach-in is a meeting , usually between students and teachers , with discussions on important and interesting topics . Teach-ins are not usually part of a formal academic course.
teach music
Music is the pattern of sounds produced by people singing or playing instruments.
teach science
Science is the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them.
teach literature
Novels , plays, and poetry are referred to as literature , especially when they are considered to be good or important.
teach a generation
A generation is all the people in a group or country who are of a similar age, especially when they are considered as having the same experiences or attitudes .
to teach someone a lesson
If you say that you are going to teach someone a lesson , you mean that you are going to punish them for something that they have done so that they do not do it again.
teach an old dog new tricks
to induce a person of settled habits to adopt new methods or ideas
teach your grandmother to suck eggs
to give advice about something to someone who actually knows more about it than you do
teach one's grandmother to suck eggs
to presume to teach someone something that he or she knows already
you can't teach an old dog new tricks
If you say ' You can't teach an old dog new tricks ', you are suggesting that someone is unwilling to try new ways of doing things.
Chinese translation of 'teach'
teach
(tiːtʃ)
Word forms:ptpptaught
vt
to teach sb sth, teach sth to sb教某人某事，将(將)某事教给(給)某人 (jiāo mǒurén mǒushì, jiāng mǒushì jiāogěi mǒurén)
(in school)[pupils, subject]教 (jiāo)
(= educate) 教育 (jiàoyù)
vi
(= be a teacher) 教书(書) (jiāoshū)
to teach sb to do sth/how to do sth教某人做某事/怎样(樣)做某事 (jiāo mǒurén zuò mǒushì/zěnyàng zuò mǒushì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to give instruction or lessons in (a subject) to (students)
a programme to teach educational skillsShe taught me to read.
Synonyms
instruct
He instructs family members in nursing techniques.
train
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
coach
He coached me for my French exam.
school
He is schooled to spot trouble.
direct
They have been directed to give special attention to poverty.
advise
He advises university graduates on money matters.
inform
They would inform him of any progress they had made.
discipline
I'm very good at disciplining myself.
educate
She was educated at a local school.
drill
He drills the choir to a high standard.
tutor
She was at home, being tutored with her brothers.
enlighten
Their aim is to enlighten the public about the situation.
impart
instil
inculcate
edify
the ability of comedy to edify as well as to entertain an audience
give lessons in
2 (verb)
Definition
to tell or show (someone) how to do something
George had taught him how to ride a horse.
Synonyms
show
Claire showed us how to make a chocolate roulade.
train
demonstrate
He demonstrated how to peel and chop garlic.
3 (verb)
Definition
to give instruction or lessons in (a subject) to (students)
She teaches English to Japanese business people.
Synonyms
give lessons in
lecture in
give instruction in
tutor
explain
He explained the process to us in simple terms.
expound
Schmidt continued to expound his theories on economics.
inculcate
inform someone about
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advise
He advises university graduates on money matters.
Synonyms
counsel,
train,
teach,
guide,
influence,
educate,
instruct,
give guidance,
give tips,
offer suggestions,
give counselling,
offer opinions
in the sense of coach
Definition
to train or teach
He coached me for my French exam.
Synonyms
instruct,
train,
prepare,
exercise,
drill,
tutor,
cram
in the sense of demonstrate
Definition
to display and explain the workings of (a machine, product, etc.)
He demonstrated how to peel and chop garlic.
Synonyms
describe,
show,
explain,
teach,
illustrate,
give a demonstration of
Synonyms of 'teach'
teach
Explore 'teach' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of direct
Definition
to give orders with authority to (a person or group)
They have been directed to give special attention to poverty.
Synonyms
order,
command,
instruct,
charge (formal),
demand,
require,
bid,
enjoin,
adjure
in the sense of discipline
Definition
to improve or attempt to improve the behaviour of (oneself or someone else) by training or rules
I'm very good at disciplining myself.
Synonyms
train,
control,
govern,
check,
educate,
regulate,
instruct,
restrain
in the sense of drill
Definition
to teach by rigorous exercises or training
He drills the choir to a high standard.
Synonyms
train,
coach,
teach,
exercise,
discipline,
practise,
instruct,
rehearse
in the sense of edify
Definition
to inform or instruct (someone) with a view to improving his or her morals or understanding
the ability of comedy to edify as well as to entertain an audience
Synonyms
instruct,
school,
teach,
inform,
guide,
improve,
educate,
nurture,
elevate,
enlighten,
uplift
in the sense of educate
Definition
to teach (someone) over a long period of time so that he or she acquires knowledge and understanding of a range of subjects
She was educated at a local school.
Synonyms
teach,
school,
train,
coach,
develop,
improve,
exercise,
inform,
discipline,
rear,
foster,
mature,
drill,
tutor,
instruct,
cultivate,
enlighten,
civilize,
edify,
indoctrinate
in the sense of enlighten
Definition
to give information or understanding to
Their aim is to enlighten the public about the situation.
Synonyms
inform,
tell,
teach,
advise,
counsel,
educate,
instruct,
illuminate,
make aware,
edify,
apprise,
let know,
cause to understand
in the sense of explain
Definition
to make something easily understandable, esp. by giving a clear and detailed account of it
He explained the process to us in simple terms.
Synonyms
make clear or plain,
describe,
demonstrate,
illustrate,
teach,
define,
solve,
resolve,
interpret,
disclose,
unfold,
clarify,
clear up,
simplify,
expound,
elucidate,
put into words,
throw light on,
explicate (formal),
give the details of
in the sense of expound
Definition
to explain a theory, belief, etc. in detail
Schmidt continued to expound his theories on economics.
Synonyms
explain,
describe,
illustrate,
interpret,
unfold,
spell out,
set forth,
elucidate,
explicate (formal)
in the sense of inform
Definition
to make knowledgeable (about) or familiar (with)
They would inform him of any progress they had made.
Synonyms
tell,
advise,
let someone know,
notify,
brief,
instruct,
edify,
enlighten,
acquaint,
leak to,
communicate to,
fill someone in,
keep someone posted,
apprise,
clue someone in (informal),
put someone in the picture (informal),
tip someone off,
send word to,
give someone to understand,
make someone conversant (with)
in the sense of school
Definition
to educate or train
He is schooled to spot trouble.
Synonyms
train,
prime,
coach,
prepare,
discipline,
educate,
drill,
tutor,
instruct,
verse,
indoctrinate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of train
Definition
to instruct (someone) in a skill
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.