preach

American  

[preech] / pritʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).

2. to deliver (a sermon).

3. to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.

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verb (used without object)

1. to deliver a sermon.

2. to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.

   Synonyms:

   expound, pronounce, profess, advocate

3. to give earnest advice in an obtrusive or tedious way.

idioms

1. preach to the choir. preach to the choir.

preach British  

/ priːtʃ /

verb

1. to make known (religious truth) or give religious or moral instruction or exhortation in (sermons)

2. to advocate (a virtue, action, etc), esp in a moralizing way

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preach More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing preach

• practice what you preach

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Other Word Forms

• outpreach verb (used with object)
• preachable adjective
• unpreached adjective

Etymology

Origin of preach

1175–1225; Middle English prechen < Old French pre ( ë ) chier < Late Latin praedicāre to preach ( Latin: to assert publicly, proclaim). See predicate

Example Sentences

While recognising that "we all live in a political context", Machnes told AFP he tries in his work to avoid any "intention to preach".

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

They can create an intimidating aura around the kitchen, and while that often makes fantastic television, it also distances us from the accessibility yesterday’s TV chefs used to preach.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2026

Come Saturday, the president will preach a message of national unity and will hope that he can usher in a new era of prosperity for Guinea.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Across the hospitality industry, we often preach, “Think of yourself as a guest.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

I knew he had anointed me to preach the gospel, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim liberty to the captives.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

• exhort
• teach