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
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countereducationalnoun
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antieducationaladjective
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noneducationaladjective
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posteducationaladjective
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preeducationaladjective
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pseudoeducationaladjective
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quasi-educationaladjective
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antieducationallyadverb
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countereducationallyadverb
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educationallyadverb
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noneducationallyadverb
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preeducationallyadverb
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pseudoeducationallyadverb
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quasi-educationallyadverb
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.
Johnson, the study co-author, described the results as a multiplier effect, in which each educational investment — preschool, TK attendance and higher spending at schools — adds value to the next step.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Divorce, illness, economic crises, interest-rate hikes, rising house prices, job loss, educational opportunities and upbringing can all play a role.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
Ms. Rowland, the author repeatedly notes, rarely talked about the dolls as consumer products, instead emphasizing their educational nature and high quality.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
Cara Hunter said the "loss of guided educational visits is disappointing"
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
The children would find it all highly educational, and Penelope had the pleasant company of Mr. Harley-Dickinson to look forward to.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
