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

“If it’s just someone preaching to you,” she adds, “I certainly can’t connect to that.”

From Los Angeles Times

He preaches the convenience of these airports every chance he gets, but people don’t always listen.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Urgency and unity is what we need," he said, calling for bipartisan support for "creating an aggravated offence for hate preaching" and other new laws.

From Barron's

Over the years, Augustine preached several sermons about Perpetua on the anniversary of her death.

From The Wall Street Journal

I don’t feel that way because we’re all picking up signs and marching down the street and preaching to people that they need to keep this sacred.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exhort
• teach