Educate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈe-jə-ˌkāt/ ed·u·cate

Meaning & Definition of Educate

Educate (verb)

  1. to provide schooling for
  2. to train by formal instruction and supervised practice especially in a skill, trade, or profession
  3. to develop mentally, morally, or aesthetically especially by instruction

Educate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field

    "a revered professor of astronomy who is credited with educating many of today's leading astronomers"

    similar: indoctrinate, instruct, lesson, school, teach, train, tutor
    related: coach, mentor, drill, fit, ground, habilitate, prepare, prime, qualify, direct, guide, lead, rear, catechize, lecture, moralize, preach, implant, inculcate, instill, homeschool, edify, enlighten, brief, familiarize, impart (to), inform, verse, initiate, introduce, show, reeducate, reschool, reteach, retrain

  2. to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding

    "the belief that parents better educate their children by example than by sending them to Sunday school"

    similar: edify, enlighten, illume, illuminate, illumine, inspire, nurture
    related: elevate, ennoble, enrich, ensoul, lift, uplift, better, improve, regenerate, renew, transform, exalt, glorify, transfigure
    near: confuse, perplex, puzzle, becloud, cloud, darken, obscure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Educate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Educate:

indoctrinate, instruct, lesson, school, teach, train, tutor, edify, enlighten, illume, illuminate, illumine, inspire, nurture

Related Words for Educate

coach, mentor, drill, fit, ground, habilitate, prepare, prime, qualify, direct, guide, lead, rear, catechize, lecture, moralize, preach, implant, inculcate, instill, homeschool, brief, familiarize, impart (to), inform, verse, initiate, introduce, show, reeducate

Near Antonyms of Educate

confuse, perplex, puzzle, becloud, cloud, darken, obscure

Word Forms of Educate

Inflections: educated, educating

Origin & Etymology of Educate

Middle English, to rear, from Latin educatus, past participle of educare to rear, educate, from educere to lead forth educe

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Educate

Words & Phrases Containing Educate

self-educate

Frequently Asked Questions about Educate

What does "Educate" mean?

"Educate" means to provide schooling for. As a verb, it is defined as: to provide schooling for. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Educate"?

Other words for "Educate" include indoctrinate, instruct, lesson, school, teach, train, tutor and edify. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Educate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Educate"?

There are 61 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Educate". Common alternatives include indoctrinate, instruct, lesson, school, teach, train, tutor, edify, enlighten and illume.

How do you use "Educate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Educate" in a sentence: "a revered professor of astronomy who is credited with educating many of today's leading astronomers"; "the belief that parents better educate their children by example than by sending them to Sunday school".

Is "Educate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Educate" is a verb.

Is "Educate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Educate" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Educate"?

"Educate" is pronounced /ˈe-jə-ˌkāt/ and divided into syllables as ed·u·cate.

What is the origin of the word "Educate"?

"Educate" comes from Middle English, to rear, from Latin educatus, past participle of educare to rear, educate, from educere to lead forth educe. First known use: 15th centuryt.