Guru
n.capable, thoughtfulplayful
What it means
A respected expert who offers knowledgeable guidance.
Reach for it when referring informally to a highly respected expert who teaches or advises
The gardening guru showed beginners how to restore poor soil.
Choose between these
6- warm
ongoing guidance develops another person's ability
not when A mentor need not be the field's leading technical authority.
- professional
adviser
practical recommendations are the person's main role
not when An adviser may synthesize others' knowledge without being a master of the subject.
- professional
verified knowledge or skill is the relevant qualification
not when Expert is evidence-based and neutral but does not imply teaching, influence, or personal following.
- professional
specialist
narrow, trained competence should be stated precisely
not when Specialist is more bounded than guru and carries no claim of broad influence.
- formal
authority
recognized command of a subject is central
not when Authority can also mean institutional power and may sound unquestionable.
- literary
exceptional command of a craft deserves elevated praise
not when Master can sound hierarchical, gendered, or inflated when competence is merely strong.
Said against
3- novice
- pupil
- amateur
It naturally appears in
3- marketing guru
The marketing guru showed the cooperative how to test claims honestly.
- tech guru
A local tech guru repaired the network and documented every step.
- self-styled guru
The self-styled guru offered confidence but no verifiable credentials.
Usage notes
Guru is a spiritual teacher in Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain traditions. Casual expert language can trivialize that religious role.