Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense instructs, present participle instructing, past tense, past participle instructed
1. verb
If you instruct someone to do something, you formally tell them to do it.
[formal]
The family has instructed solicitors to sue Thomson for compensation. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
'Go and have a word with her, Ken,' Webb instructed. [VERB with quote]
I want you to instruct them that they've got three months to get the details sortedout. [VERB noun that]
[Also V n with quote]
Synonyms: tell, advise, inform, counsel More Synonyms of instruct
2. verb
Someone who instructs people in a subject or skill teaches it to them.
He instructed family members in nursing techniques. [V n + in/on]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: teach, school, train, direct More Synonyms of instruct
More Synonyms of instruct
instruct in British English
(ɪnˈstrʌkt)
verb(transitive)
1.
to direct to do something; order
2.
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
3.
to furnish with information; apprise
4. law, mainly British
a.
(esp of a client to his or her solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
b.
to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf
to instruct counsel
Derived forms
instructible (inˈstructible)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Latin instruere to construct, set in order, equip, teach, from struere to build
instruct in American English
(ɪnˈstrʌkt)
verb transitive
1.
to communicate knowledge to; teach; educate
2.
to give facts or information to on a particular matter; inform or guide
the judge instructs the jury
3.
to order or direct
to instruct a sentry to shoot
SIMILAR WORDS: comˈmand, teach
Word origin
ME instructen < L instructus, pp. of instruere, to pile upon, put in order, erect < in-, in, upon + struere, to pile up, arrange, build: see strew
Examples of 'instruct' in a sentence
instruct
City have instructed solicitors to examine the claim.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I've instructed my solicitor to appeal.
The Sun (2016)
He makes reference to the importance of experienced barristers being instructed in complex cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Will they not instruct you and tell you?
Christianity Today (2000)
We always recommend that before instructing a solicitor buyers look at feedback online.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They had been instructed not to tell me.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Solicitors were instructed with a view to selling the house and clearing the mortgage.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
If you instruct a solicitor you will have to pay the costs yourself.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her solicitors were instructed to handle the transfer of equity and remove my name from our joint mortgage.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is also a perception that the quality of outside counsel instructed'may have declined.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Your father-in-law should instruct a solicitor to obtain these.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Unknown to my instructing solicitors, the company had been dissolved.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They instructed their solicitor and agreed to pay the 192 fee for doing so.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Advice deserts are already appearing: one barrister recently was instructed by a mother alleging serious domestic violence.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The danger now of instructing inexperienced barristers in complex serious cases could manifest itself in injustices, and indeed the system crumbling into disarray.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
RAIL staff are instructed not to tell you about split journeys but they must sell you the tickets if you ask for them.
The Sun (2011)
This morning we received written confirmation that HMRC have instructed their solicitors to dismiss the petition.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My father died recently and I have had to instruct my solicitor to close both of these accounts.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Secondly, it was a case in which the claimants did not have the means to instruct solicitors to conduct the proceedings on their behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Normally, this is done by instructing a solicitor, who will make the necessary entry.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Many instructing solicitors, and younger colleagues at the bar, speak of the encouragement he gave them.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Architects carry around building plans, instructed by clients to snap up works by high-profile artists for their homes and businesses.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But unlike the solicitors he battles and the barristers he instructs, he does not come from a world used to nice Norfolk houses.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Back in the 1970s, his office was above the shop and the sales people were instructed to tell him if anyone interesting came in.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
instruct
British English: instruct /ɪnˈstrʌkt/ VERB
If you instruct someone to do something, you formally tell them to do it.
A doctor will often instruct patients to exercise.
American English: instruct
Arabic: يُعَلِّمُ
Brazilian Portuguese: instruir
Chinese: 指示
Croatian: uputiti
Czech: dát pokyn
Danish: instruere
Dutch: opdragen
European Spanish: dar instrucciones
Finnish: neuvoa
French: instruire
German: anweisen
Greek: διδάσκω
Italian: ordinare
Japanese: 指示する
Korean: 교육하다
Norwegian: instruere
Polish: dać wskazówki
European Portuguese: instruir
Romanian: a recomanda
Russian: инструктировать
Latin American Spanish: dar instrucciones
Swedish: instruera
Thai: แนะนำ
Turkish: talimat vermek
Ukrainian: інструктувати
Vietnamese: hướng dẫn
Chinese translation of 'instruct'
instruct
(ɪnˈstrʌkt)
vt
(= tell)
to instruct sb to do sth命令某人做某事 (mìnglìng mǒurén zuò mǒushì)
(= teach)
to instruct sb in sth教某人某事 (jiāo mǒurén mǒushì)
1 (verb)
Definition
to order to do something
They have instructed solicitors to sue for compensation.
Synonyms
order
Williams ordered him to leave.
tell
She told me to follow my dreams.
direct
They have been directed to give special attention to poverty.
charge (formal)
Her boss charged her with a hazardous mission.
bid
I dare say he did as he was bidden.
command
He commanded his troops to attack.
mandate
enjoin
She enjoined me strictly not to tell anyone else.
2 (verb)
Definition
to teach (someone) how to do something
He instructs family members in nursing techniques.
Synonyms
teach
a programme to teach educational skills
She taught me to read.
school
He is schooled to spot trouble.
train
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
direct
coach
He coached me for my French exam.
guide
He should have let his instinct guide him.
discipline
I'm very good at disciplining myself.
educate
She was educated at a local school.
drill
He drills the choir to a high standard.
tutor
She was at home, being tutored with her brothers.
enlighten
Their aim is to enlighten the public about the situation.
give lessons in
3 (verb)
Definition
to brief (a solicitor or barrister)
Instruct them that they've got three months to get it sorted out.
Synonyms
tell
I called her to tell her how spectacular it looked.
advise
I must advise you of my decision to retire.
inform
They would inform him of any progress they had made.
counsel
My advisors counselled me to do nothing.
notify
The skipper notified the coastguard of the tragedy.
brief
A spokesperson briefed reporters.
acquaint
I want to acquaint myself with your abilities and your weaknesses.
Have steps been made to acquaint them with their rights?
apprise
Have the customers been fully apprised of the advantages?