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instruct

[ in-struhkt ]
/ ÉȘnˈstrʌkt /
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See synonyms for: instruct / instructed / instructible on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
to furnish with knowledge, especially by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.
to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command: The doctor instructed me to diet.
to furnish with information; inform; apprise.
Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.
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Origin of instruct

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; see in-2

synonym study for instruct

1. See teach.

OTHER WORDS FROM instruct

Words nearby instruct

in stock, in-store, instr., in stride, instroke, instruct, instruction, instructions, instructive, instructor, instructress
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to instruct

advise, brief, discipline, disclose, educate, guide, notify, tell, train, tutor, assign, direct, warn, acquaint, apprise, brainwash, coach, counsel, drill, engineer

How to use instruct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for instruct

instruct
/ (ÉȘnˈstrʌkt) /
verb (tr)
to direct to do something; order
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
to furnish with information; apprise
law, mainly British
  1. (esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
  2. to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalfto instruct counsel

Derived forms of instruct

instructible, adjective

Word Origin for instruct

C15: from Latin instruere to construct, set in order, equip, teach, from struere to build
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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