Skip to main content
guru

guru

57 5.5
A respected expert who leads and influences others in a field
  • noun
  • /ˈɡʊru/
: gurú
  • As a fitness guru, he inspires others with his comprehensive knowledge of nutrition and exercise.
  • a management guru
  • a computer guru
  • guru status

Yeah, So my wife Esther, is truly my guru and has.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Home shoppers have found a new guru.

  • Actually, the guru plays a very big role.

  • In fact, the band director used the term "communication guru" to describe the special education teacher.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Management guru Peter Drucker said, "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

    Academic text (2006)
  • I hope you find my little bits of guru wisdom helpful on your journey.

    Blog text (6)
  • The teacher-librarian is the building's curriculum coordinator, master teacher, instructional leader, and research guru for almost any topic.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The fellow who gave his name to these virtual interventions was a late-twentieth-century self-help guru called John Bradshaw.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Many people consider him a marketing guru because of his innovative strategies.

  • The tech industry has recognized her as a software development guru for her groundbreaking work.

Synonyms

advisor
vsguru
  • US
271 2.8

A person who gives expert advice about a particular subject

is more influential and publicly respected as a leader in a movement
sage
vsguru
39 6.8

A wise person respected for spiritual or life guidance

is more about public influence and leadership across a particular field
23 3.9

A person who guides others in religious beliefs and inner life

focuses more on respected expertise and influence within a wider movement
kahuna
vsguru
  • Slang
8 9.9

An expert respected as a leader in a certain area

is the formal idea of a respected influential leader across a field
pandit
vsguru
  • Indian
3 8.6

An expert who gives public advice or opinions on a subject

is more than public expertise, being an influential leader and movement figure
tech guru
vsguru
1 3.8

A person who knows a lot about computers and new online tools

is broader, being an influential respected leader across a field or movement
financial guru
vsguru
  • Informal
1 4.9

A person who knows a lot about money and tells people how to manage it

is more general, serving as an influential leader across a whole field
yoga guru
vsguru
1 4.9

A person who teaches yoga and meditation and gives spiritual guidance

is broader, referring to a leading, respected figure across any movement
computer guru
vsguru
  • Informal
4.3

A person who knows a lot about computers and helps others fix computer problems

is wider, acting as a respected leader and influencer beyond technical work

Antonyms

295 1.6

A person who supports a leader and accepts their direction

46 3.4

A person new to an activity who has little experience

Idioms

To learn from a wise or spiritual teacher

Compounds

financial guru
  • Informal
1 4.9

A person who knows a lot about money and tells people how to manage it

1 3.8

A person who knows a lot about computers and new online tools

1 5.6

A person who advises on using media to promote a company

1 4.9

A person who teaches yoga and meditation and gives spiritual guidance

computer guru
  • Informal
4.3

A person who knows a lot about computers and helps others fix computer problems

A holy book of Sikhism that contains songs, poems, and teachings

UNIX guru
  • Jargon
5.9

A person who knows UNIX very well and helps others with it

How Influential

luminary
14 7.6
guru
57 5.5
leader
∞ 1.0
authority
292 4.2
expert
∞ 3.2

Surface Forms

guru singular
gurus plural

Etymology

The word guru comes from Sanskrit where guru meant 'heavy' and 'important' and was used for a respected teacher. So in English a guru is anyone with deep knowledge or strong influence in a particular field.