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.
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 WebAfter 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 See all Example Sentences for edify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
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