educate

[ ej-oo-keyt ]

/ ˈɛdʒ ʊˌkeɪt /

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.

Nearby words

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Note this description of the way in which a father may educate his son.
The New Education|Scott Nearing
Educate it, and the product transcends the cat, and not only the cat, but all other living things.
Woman and Womanhood|C. W. Saleeby
It would have been as well to try to train woodbine to draw water or to educate cattails to write Greek.
The Best Short Stories of 1920|Various
His mission was to educate—to draw out souls, whether of children or adults.
Transcendentalism in New England|Octavius Brooks Frothingham
It was for her own sake that he wished to save money—to educate her.
The Haunted Homestead|E. D. E. N. Southworth

British Dictionary definitions for educate

educate

/ (ˈɛdjʊˌkeɪt) /

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

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.