edify

CEFRB2

/ˈɛdɪfaɪ/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To improve someone's mind or character through teaching.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To instruct or improve morally or intellectually.

Examples

  • Good books can edify the mind as well as entertain it.

  • His speech was meant to edify, not to attack.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
3
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To build, construct.

More examples

In context

  • January 23, 1783, Edward Gibbon, letter to Dr. Priestley It does not appear probable that our dispute [about miracles] would either edify or enlighten the public.

  • frustrate the best endeavours in the edifying of the church

  • That Castle was most goodly edifyde, / And plaste for pleasure nigh that forrest syde […]

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The professor always aimed to blank his students through thoughtful discussion.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Old French edifier (“to build, to edify”), from Latin aedificare (“build”).