adjective
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providing knowledge; instructive or informative
an educational toy
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of or relating to education
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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noneducationallyadverb
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countereducationallyadverb
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preeducationallyadverb
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antieducationaladjective
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quasi-educationaladjective
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educationallyadverb
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antieducationallyadverb
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preeducationaladjective
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pseudoeducationallyadverb
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pseudoeducationaladjective
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noneducationaladjective
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posteducationaladjective
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quasi-educationallyadverb
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countereducationalnoun
Etymology
Origin of educational
Explanation
If something is educational, it teaches you some new information or gives you new knowledge. Listening to an organic farmer describe the process of beekeeping can be very educational. The adjective educational describes something that imparts new skills or knowledge. Reading a recipe is educational, if it teaches you how to make a perfect buttercream frosting for your cake, and a French class is also educational, as long as you learn something new from it. The word comes from the noun education, or "the process of teaching or learning," which actually meant "childrearing" in the 1500s, and was used interchangeably to mean "the training of animals."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Soul” was quite beautiful, tinged with the innovative, educational spirit of early Pixar, and “Hoppers” did a wonderful job combining fantastical story elements with a grounded, human edge.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
The new layout will make better use of the building’s interior, Bettison-Varga said, with more space for exhibits, storage, research and educational programs.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
Rachel, a 61-year-old college lecturer who lives in Highland, N.Y., also opened an investment account that has about $10,000 for future educational expenses for the grandson.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Knowing something about your doctor’s educational background is a good idea.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
“What would you do if you could change the educational system?” he asked ambiguously.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
