educate

American  

[ej-oo-keyt] / ˈɛdʒ ʊˌkeɪt /

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.

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verb (used without object)

educated, educating

1. to educate a person or group.

   A television program that educates can also entertain.

educate British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See teach.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of educate

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 see e- ¹, -ate ¹

Explanation

To educate is to teach, train, or inform someone. Teachers educate students. If the word educate makes you think of children, you're not far off. It comes from the Latin word educare meaning to "bring up, rear.” In the 1500s, Shakespeare borrowed it to mean "schooling." These days, any time you're in a classroom listening to a lecture, reading a book, or speaking with a teacher, you're being educated. Teachers educate students all the way from preschool to graduate school. Almost any experience can educate if you learn from it.

Example Sentences

In the video, Evelo said the goal is to educate the public about what to do when encountering young owls.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Those concepts should reshape how we organize, train, operate, educate and procure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"At PBS, we will continue to do what we've always done: serve our mission to educate and inspire all Americans as the nation's most trusted media institution."

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

"As part of our commitment to road safety, we are continually working with schools throughout Northern Ireland to educate pupils about road safety and raise awareness," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

What’s free about it, they reasoned, when the law forces you to educate your children and then endangers their lives to get them into school?

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

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