educate

[ ej-oo-keyt ]

See 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

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, -ate¹

synonym study For educate

1. See teach.

Other words for educate

1	instruct, school, drill, indoctrinate

See synonyms for educate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from educate

o·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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use educate in a sentence

When it comes to educating our children, Congress should heed that message, not ignore it.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future | Jonah Edelman | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I feel good educating people about Ebola and helping them see how they can prevent themselves from getting it,” says Neufville.
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola | Abby Haglage | October 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
She currently works at the YWCA, educating immigrant women about their rights and using her experiences to help fellow survivors.
Immigrant Women Facing Domestic Abuse Need Stronger Protections | Adriana Cazorla | October 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He also seizes the opportunity to do public outreach, educating locals on HIV and AIDS as well as preventative methods.
Victor Mooney’s Epic Adventure for His Dead Brother | Justin Jones | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
For cheetahs, Marker has been at the forefront of educating people in the Middle East.
The $10 Billion Pet Cheetah and Chimp Industry | Sharon Adarlo | July 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The difficulty of educating handlers of bills in distant places as to American credits.
Readings in Money and Banking | Chester Arthur Phillips
(a) That the Department should consider whether some better method of educating these children can be evolved.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents | Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.
There seemed to be no disagreement on the question of educating boys and girls of primary-school age together.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents | Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.
But she soon saw the need of educating the young people to the ideals and principles of peace.
Ways of War and Peace | Delia Austrian
Edward Forster had maturely weighed the difficulties of the charge imposed upon him, that of educating a female.
Newton Forster | Captain Frederick Marryat

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

Origin of 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

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