educate

[ej-oo-keyt]

verb (used with object)

educated, educating 

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)

educated, educating 

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 Word Forms

• overeducate verb (used with object)
• preeducate verb (used with object)

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

Although women make up roughly 60% of college grads, outpacing men with degrees, that educational mismatch hasn’t stopped educated women from marrying.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

And talent agency UTA, which acquired Gen Z marketing agency JUV Consulting in 2024, later this month will host the third iteration of ZCON, a conference designed to educate brand executives on Gen Z trends.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

And that is true for all immigrants, not just high-income, educated immigrants.

Read more on Barron's

As soon as I opened up about that, got educated on that stuff ...

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To carry out her vision, McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups eager to de-emphasize public schools, which have educated students for roughly 200 years.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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