teach
To give someone knowledge or skills through instruction.
Word facts
Definition
To teach means to give someone knowledge or skills through instruction, explanation, or demonstration. Teaching involves not just sharing information but helping someone truly understand.
Usage: Teach focuses on imparting knowledge or skills. Train focuses on developing specific practical abilities, often repetitively. Educate implies a broader development of the whole person.
Example sentences
- 1
She taught herself to code using free online resources.
- 2
He has been teaching mathematics at the secondary school level for fifteen years.
- 3
The best teachers teach students how to think, not just what to think.
Word family
From Old English tǣcan ('to show, declare, demonstrate'). Related to token — teaching is showing and demonstrating, giving signs of understanding.
Teach and reach share a rhyme. A great teacher reaches each student where they are.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the past tense of teach?
Taught. Example: She taught the class every Monday morning.
What is the difference between teach and learn?
Teach is what a teacher does — sharing knowledge. Learn is what a student does — acquiring knowledge. One can also teach oneself.