US /ɪnˈstɹakt/ UK /ɪnˈstɹʌkt/
verb adj Freq #14656

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To officially tell someone what they should do.

    The doctor instructed her to rest for a week.

  2. 2
    verb

    To teach someone a skill or subject.

    He instructs new drivers at the local school.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to officially tell someone... directorder
2 verb · to teach someone a skill or... teacheducateguide
Word family
Forms instructedinstructinginstructsuninstructed
Derived forms instructabilityinstructeeinstructerinstructologyinstructorymisinstructpreinstructuninstructing
Related forms instructableinstructibleinstructioninstructiveinstructorinstructressoverinstructreinstructunderinstructuninstructed

Etymology

From Latin īnstrūctus, perfect passive participle of īnstruō (“I instruct; I arrange, furnish, or provide”).

View etymology graph ->

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.