edified; edifying
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Edify Has Latin Roots
Edify comes from the Latin verb aedificare, meaning "to instruct or improve spiritually"; it is based on aedes, the word for "temple." Edify shares the spiritual meaning of its Latin root, but it is also used in general contexts to refer to the act of instructing in a way that improves the mind or character overall.
Synonyms
Examples of edify in a Sentence
These books will both entertain and edify readers.
a family-oriented show that tried to edify the television audience as well as entertain it
Recent Examples on the Web
The continued relevance of these debates – particularly in regard to Russia and Ukraine today – makes these books not only edifying but also timely.
—
Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2024
If handled properly, change can be a great opportunity to edify your team and give your managers the skills to become better leaders.
—Jane Sparrow, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
After an edifying decline, dog attacks on postal carriers are rising again, both in California and the nation, according to data wrangled from the Postal Service.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 24 June 2024
When Taylor and Dion dig into the past, the results are edifying.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for edify 
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Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Oct. 2024
If handled properly, change can be a great opportunity to edify your team and give your managers the skills to become better leaders.
—Jane Sparrow, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
After an edifying decline, dog attacks on postal carriers are rising again, both in California and the nation, according to data wrangled from the Postal Service.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 24 June 2024
When Taylor and Dion dig into the past, the results are edifying.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for edify
Cite this Entry
“Edify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edify. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
edify
verb
ed·i·fy
ˈed-ə-ˌfī 
edified; edifying
: to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge
an edifying sermon
edification
noun
ˌed-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən
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