educate

[ej-oo-keyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR educate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

to develop the faculties and powers of (a person) by teaching, instruction, or schooling.

to qualify by instruction or training for a particular calling, practice, etc.; train: to educate someone for law.

to provide schooling or training for; send to school.

to develop or train (the ear, taste, etc.): to educate one's palate to appreciate fine food.

to inform: to educate oneself about the best course of action.

verb (used without object), ed·u·cat·ed, ed·u·cat·ing.

to educate a person or group: A television program that educates can also entertain.

Origin of educate

1580–90; < Latin ēducātus brought up, taught (past participle of ēducāre), equivalent to ē- e-¹ + -duc- lead + -ātus -ate¹

Related formso·ver·ed·u·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ed·u·cat·ed, o·ver·ed·u·cat·ing.pre·ed·u·cate, verb (used with object), pre·ed·u·cat·ed, pre·ed·u·cat·ing.

Synonym study

1. See teach.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for educate

discipline, develop, tutor, inform, instruct, train, cultivate, enlighten, rear, improve, foster, school, coach, mature, edify, indoctrinate, brief, explain, drill, brainwash

Examples from the Web for educate

Contemporary Examples of educate

We were able, hopefully, to educate those policy makers… As of December of this year, cooler heads have prevailed.
SWAT Lobby Shoots to Kill Police Reform After Ferguson
Tim Mak
December 2, 2014
Megatron took it upon herself to educate her own kids before they were introduced to sex at school.
The Next Frontier of Sex Ed: How Porn Twists Teens’ Brains
Aurora Snow
November 29, 2014
The fliers, Ancona explained, are meant to educate people on what rights they legally have to use lethal force in self-defense.
The Klan’s Call to Violence in Ferguson Blows the Lid Off Its Hypocritical Rebrand
Caitlin Dickson
November 14, 2014
When Emmanuel came he tried to educate us, telling us you have to stop killing, destroying, being corrupted.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo
Nina Strochlic
November 6, 2014
One reason given for the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan was to educate girls.
The West Made Lots of Promises to Afghan Girls, Now It’s Breaking Them
Heather Barr
October 20, 2014

Historical Examples of educate

Basil Kendall was well educated, and had done what he could to educate his children.
The Poems of Henry Kendall
Henry Kendall
Why, then, did the Great Teacher not educate His followers fully?
Pax Vobiscum
Henry Drummond
He believed that he was chosen by God to educate, guide and discipline the German people.
Blood and Iron
John Hubert Greusel
But then again, when I contemplate any of those who pretend to educate others, I am amazed.
Euthydemus
Plato
But do you wish to live for the sake of your children, that you may rear and educate them?
Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates
Plato

British Dictionary definitions for educate

educate

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr) to impart knowledge by formal instruction to (a pupil); teach

to provide schooling for (children)I have educated my children at the best schools

to improve or develop (a person, judgment, taste, skills, etc)

to train for some particular purpose or occupation

Word Origin for educate

C15: from Latin ēducāre to rear, educate, from dūcere to lead

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for educate

mid-15c., "bring up (children), train," from Latin educatus, past participle of educare "bring up, rear, educate," which is related to educere "bring out, lead forth," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + ducere "to lead" (see duke (n.)). Meaning "provide schooling" is first attested 1580s. Related: Educated; educating.