Words / B1

in-STRUKT/ɪnˈstrʌkt/

To instruct is to tell someone officially to do something, or to teach a practical skill: instruct you to stop; instruct a class. Instruction and instructor are related nouns (already in the dictionary). Tell is everyday; order is stronger. Invigilators instruct you to stop writing.

Meaning

To tell someone officially to do something; also to teach a practical skill.

Examples

• “Invigilators will instruct you to stop writing at the end.”
• “A technician instructed the group on the centrifuge, which is the teaching sense.”

Good to know

instruct someone to + verb. Teach sense: instruct a class in. Everyday: tell. Stronger: order. Nouns: instruction / instructor. Exam halls.

Near in meaning

tell

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