Lecture — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈlek-chər/ lec·ture

Meaning & Definition of Lecture

Lecture (noun)

  1. a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction
  2. a formal reproof

Lecture (verb)

  1. to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures
  2. to deliver a lecture to
  3. to reprove formally

Lecture (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings

    "the frustrated manager lectured the waitstaff about its poor level of service"

    similar: baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, score, tongue-lash, upbraid, lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task
    related: admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove, abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis (slang), excoriate, fault, harangue, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate, belittle, disparage, mock, put down, ridicule, scoff, scorn
    near: approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise

  2. to give a formal often extended talk on a subject

    "a physician who has lectured before countless audiences on the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding heart disease"

    similar: declaim, descant, discourse, expatiate, harangue, orate, speak, talk, hold forth, take the floor
    related: recite, soliloquize, dissert, expound, pontificate, sermonize, mouth, spout, filibuster

Lecture (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in speech, lesson

    similar: exhortation, lesson, sermon, speech, recommendation, suggestion, hint, pointer, tip, data, feedback, information, answer, solution, advisement, consideration, thought, alarm, alert, caution, cautioning, expostulation, forewarning, remonstrance, remonstration, urging, warning, judgment, observation, verdict, assistance, briefing, coaching, direction, instruction, mentoring, priming, prompting, teaching, tutoring

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Lecture

The most common words with a similar meaning to Lecture:

baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay, hammer, jaw, keelhaul, lambaste, rag, rail (at or against), rant (at), rate, ream (out), rebuke, reprimand, reproach, scold, score, tongue-lash, upbraid, declaim, descant, discourse, expatiate, harangue, orate, speak, talk, lay into, read the riot act (to), take to task, hold forth, take the floor, exhortation, lesson

Related Words for Lecture

admonish, chide, remonstrate (with), reprove, abuse, assail, attack, bad-mouth, blame, blast, censure, condemn, criticize, crucify, denounce, dis, excoriate, fault, knock, lace (into), lash, pan, reprehend, revile, scourge, slam, vituperate, belittle, disparage, mock

Near Antonyms of Lecture

approve, endorse, sanction, extol, laud, praise

Word Forms of Lecture

Inflections: lectured, lecturing

Derived words: lectureship (noun), lecturer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Lecture

Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Lecture

Words & Phrases Containing Lecture

lecture hall, curtain lecture

Frequently Asked Questions about Lecture

What does "Lecture" mean?

"Lecture" means a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Lecture"?

Other words for "Lecture" include baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out and dress down. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Lecture" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Lecture"?

There are 121 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Lecture". Common alternatives include baste, bawl out, berate, call down, castigate, chastise, chew out, dress down, flay and hammer.

How do you use "Lecture" in a sentence?

Examples of "Lecture" in a sentence: "the frustrated manager lectured the waitstaff about its poor level of service"; "a physician who has lectured before countless audiences on the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding heart disease".

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

"Lecture" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

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

As an A2-level word, "Lecture" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Lecture"?

"Lecture" is pronounced /ˈlek-chər/ and divided into syllables as lec·ture.

What is the origin of the word "Lecture"?

"Lecture" comes from Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere. First known use: 15th century.