Hello, students! A person who teaches a skill, like driving, swimming, or yoga, is called an instructor. A special, old word for a female teacher is instructress. What is the word for a male teacher, and what is the best word to use today?
Instructress Opposite Gender
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Instructress vs. Instructor: A Clear Comparison
This table explains the terms for a person who teaches a skill.
| Term | Gender | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Instructress | Female | A female teacher or coach (old-fashioned). |
| Instructor | Male / Neutral | A male teacher; also the modern neutral term. |
What is an Instructress?
An instructress is a woman who gives instruction in a particular subject or skill. The "-ess" suffix marks it as a feminine noun. This word is rarely used now.
What is an Instructor?
An instructor is the masculine equivalent of an instructress. More importantly, it is the standard gender-neutral term used today for any teacher or coach.
Modern Usage: 'Instructor' is for Everyone
Today, the word instructor is the correct and professional term for anyone who teaches a skill, like a "driving instructor," "ski instructor," or "yoga instructor." This is true whether the person is male or female. The word 'instructress' is considered outdated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instructress Masculine Gender
The masculine gender of 'Instructress' is Instructor.
Instructress Opposite Gender
The opposite gender of an Instructress is an Instructor. Instructress is an outdated female gender term, while Instructor is the modern male gender and neutral term.
Male equivalent of Instructress
The male equivalent of an Instructress is an Instructor.
Practice Exercises
Worksheet: Choose the Correct Term
Fill in the blanks with the best modern term.
- The driving _______ taught me how to park the car.
- My swimming _______ is very patient with new learners.
- She is a certified yoga _______.
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