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

Still, there were new winners, like the highly educated men, but also women and minorities—beneficiaries of the 1960s civil-rights tumult—living in the largest U.S. cities.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Emerging technology like chatbots and social media can inspire, educate, and connect – but without real guardrails, technology can also exploit, mislead, and endanger our kids,” Newsom said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Citing record-high loan defaults and delinquencies, the department in early September announced a new initiative to educate borrowers about the benefits and risks of federal student-loan borrowing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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 The 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 The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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