/ˈtɑ:t/; teach·ing 1 a : to cause or help (someone) to learn about a subject by giving lessons [+ obj] ▪ He enjoys teaching his students about history. [no obj] ▪ She no longer teaches. ▪ He wants to teach. [=to be a teacher]
b [+ obj] : to give lessons about (a particular subject) to a person or group
▪ She taught English for many years at the high school. ▪ He teaches music/science.
c [+ obj] : to cause or help (a person or animal) to learn how to do something by giving lessons, showing how it is done, etc.
▪ She is teaching us (how to use) sign language. — often followed by to + verb ▪ teach a child to read/swim ▪ I taught my dog to retrieve sticks. ▪ She taught me (how) to ride a bike. 2 [+ obj] : to show someone how to behave, think, etc.
▪ The church teaches compassion and forgiveness. ▪ Someone needs to teach her right and wrong. ▪ The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything. 3 [+ obj] informal : to cause (someone) to know the unpleasant results of something
▪ Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife. ▪ He got the punishment he deserved. That'll teach him to lie to me. [=show him that he should not to lie to me again] ▪ That will teach her a lesson. [=that will show her not to do something again]
b [+ obj] : to give lessons about (a particular subject) to a person or group
▪ She taught English for many years at the high school. ▪ He teaches music/science.
c [+ obj] : to cause or help (a person or animal) to learn how to do something by giving lessons, showing how it is done, etc.
▪ She is teaching us (how to use) sign language. — often followed by to + verb ▪ teach a child to read/swim ▪ I taught my dog to retrieve sticks. ▪ She taught me (how) to ride a bike.
▪ The church teaches compassion and forgiveness. ▪ Someone needs to teach her right and wrong. ▪ The experience taught us that money doesn't mean everything.
▪ Her injury will teach her not to be so careless with a knife. ▪ He got the punishment he deserved. That'll teach him to lie to me. [=show him that he should not to lie to me again] ▪ That will teach her a lesson. [=that will show her not to do something again]
you can't teach an old dog new tricks — see 1dog






