edify

IPA/ˈedɪfaɪ/
KK[ˈɛdəfˌaɪ]IPA/ˈedɪfaɪ/

edify — verb

  • edifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • edifieshe / she / it
  • edifiedpast simple
  • edifying-ing form

1. To teach or guide someone in a way that helps them become wiser, better, or more

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

To teach or guide someone in a way that helps them become wiser, better, or more thoughtful.

例句

Many students were edified by the judge's careful talk on justice.

passive: be edified by + talk

Reading her grandmother's war diary edified Marta more than any history class.

object: a person improved by what they read

同義詞
  • enlighten

    Often stresses giving understanding or insight, while edify more strongly suggests moral or intellectual improvement.

  • instruct

    More neutral and direct for teaching facts or skills, without the uplifting tone of edify.

  • uplift

    Emphasizes raising someone's spirit or character, and can be more emotional than edify.

文法句型

edify + object

be edified by + teaching or experience

用法筆記

Usually takes a person or group as its object and is more common in formal or literary writing than in daily conversation. It often suggests moral or intellectual improvement, not simply giving information.

常見錯誤

❌The speech edified me to join the charity.
✅The speech edified me and made me want to join the charity.
💡Edify does not take a to-infinitive after the object; it means improving or uplifting someone's mind.
❌The magazine was very edified.
✅The magazine was very edifying.
💡Edified describes the person who was improved; edifying describes the thing that causes that effect.