edifying

American  

[ed-uh-fahy-ing] / ˈɛd əˌfaɪ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. instructive or beneficial, especially morally or spiritually; uplifting.

   We had our meals together, during which we listened to reading from an edifying children's book.

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Other Word Forms

• edifyingly adverb
• unedifying adjective

Etymology

Origin of edifying

edify + -ing ²

Explanation

Anything edifying is enlightening. Edifying things uplift people intellectually or morally and help them learn. Good literature, art, and music are edifying. The original meaning of edify was "to build," and things that are edifying build up a person, especially in an intellectual or moral way. It’s often used in the negative. If you say something is not edifying, you mean that it’s unpleasant and unacceptable. Edifying applies to things that help you become a better person. A wise saying is edifying. A powerful documentary is edifying. The words of a good teacher are often edifying. Word definitions are definitely edifying!

Example Sentences

Choudhury’s account was my first stop falling down the dinosaur community rabbit hole, and one of the most edifying.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

The book’s most edifying compilations recount the Soviet people’s unconquerable yearning to live, create and love freely, despite the daily menaces of a police state and deafening propaganda.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Nik goes further and says it was "absolutely edifying".

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2024

It’s also a central pillar of the pair’s edifying new sitcom.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2024

As a journalist, I found it edifying to experience things from the other side of the fence.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer