educate

[ ej-oo-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

1. to develop the faculties and powers of (a person) by teaching, instruction, or schooling.

   Synonyms: indoctrinate, drill, school, instruct

2. to qualify by instruction or training for a particular calling, practice, etc.; train:

   to educate someone for law.

3. to provide schooling or training for; send to school.
4. to develop or train (the ear, taste, etc.):

   to educate one's palate to appreciate fine food.

5. to inform:

   to educate oneself about the best course of action.

verb (used without object)

, ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

1. to educate a person or group:

   A television program that educates can also entertain.

educate

/ ˈɛdjʊˌkeɪt /

verb

1. also intr to impart knowledge by formal instruction to (a pupil); teach
2. to provide schooling for (children)

   I have educated my children at the best schools

3. to improve or develop (a person, judgment, taste, skills, etc)
4. to train for some particular purpose or occupation

Other Words From

• over·edu·cate verb (used with object) overeducated overeducating
• pre·edu·cate verb (used with object) preeducated preeducating

Word History and Origins

Origin of educate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English educate, educatyn, from Latin ēducātus “brought up, nurtured, taught” (past participle of ēducāre ), equivalent to ē- + -duc-, variant of dūc- “to lead” + -ātus e- ¹, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of educate¹

C15: from Latin ēducāre to rear, educate, from dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See teach.

Example Sentences

When fighting epidemics, the media would cover me or the group I work with, when what we needed was to educate the public on the problem itself.

From Salon

In this case, it would be preferable for the media to educate us on our rights, and what it’s like to have those rights taken away; on the value of pluralism versus uniformity; what it’s like to be an immigrant, which not a bad thing but a hard thing.

From Salon

In May 2024 her mum Sarah felt forced to home educate.

From BBC

The Welsh government said while most children were best served in school, it recognised the right to home educate.

From BBC

An Education Authority Northern Ireland spokesperson said: “Many factors may contribute to a parent’s decision to electively home educate their child.”

From BBC

Related Words

• cultivate
• develop
• discipline
• enlighten
• improve
• inform
• instruct
• rear
• train
• tutor