edify

verb

ed·​i·​fy ˈe-də-ˌfī 

edified; edifying

transitive verb

1

: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift

also : enlighten, inform

2

archaic

a

: build

b

: establish

Did you know?

Edify Has Latin Roots

Edify comes from the Latin verb aedificare, meaning "to instruct or improve spiritually"; it is based on aedes, the word for "temple." Edify shares the spiritual meaning of its Latin root, but it is also used in general contexts to refer to the act of instructing in a way that improves the mind or character overall.

Synonyms

• educate
• enlighten
• illume
• illuminate
• illumine
• inspire
• nurture

Examples of edify in a Sentence

These books will both entertain and edify readers.

a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as well as entertain it

Recent Examples on the Web

After an edifying decline, dog attacks on postal carriers are rising again, both in California and the nation, according to data wrangled from the Postal Service. —Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 24 June 2024

When Taylor and Dion dig into the past, the results are edifying. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024

As for anyone who believes that the current turbulence on the U.S.-Mexican border is an anomaly, they will be edified by Taylor’s account of how Texans attacked Mexico for offering freedom to runaway slaves. —Thomas E. Ricks, New York Times, 19 May 2024

For two decades, this edifying A&E docuseries has been lifting the veil of investigative work during that critical time frame. —EW.com, 27 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French edifier, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin aedificare to instruct or improve spiritually, from Latin, to erect a house, from aedes temple, house; akin to Old English ād funeral pyre, Latin aestas summer

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

edify

verb

ed·​i·​fy ˈed-ə-ˌfī 

edified; edifying

: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge

an edifying sermon

edification

ˌed-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən

noun