edifying

edifying
[[t]e̱dɪfaɪɪŋ[/t]]
1) ADJ-GRADED If you describe something as edifying, you mean that it benefits you in some way, for example by teaching you about something. [FORMAL]

In the 18th century art was seen, along with music and poetry, as something edifying.

Syn:
2) ADJ-GRADED: with brd-neg (disapproval) You say that something is not very edifying when you want to express your disapproval or dislike of it, or to suggest that there is something unpleasant or unacceptable about it.

It all brought back memories of a not very edifying past.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Edifying — Ed i*fy ing, a. Instructing; improving; as, an edifying conversation. {Ed i*fy ing*ly}, adv. {Ed i*fy ing*ness}, n. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • edifying — index beneficial, didactic, informative, meritorious, profitable, salutary, valuable Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …   Law dictionary

  • edifying — ed|i|fy|ing [ˈedıfaı ıŋ] adj formal an edifying speech, book etc improves your mind or moral character by teaching you something sometimes used humorously ▪ No one would claim that the film is morally edifying …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • edifying — adjective formal or humorous an edifying speech, book etc improves your mind or moral character by teaching you something: No one would claim that the film is morally edifying …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • Edifying — Edify Ed i*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Edified}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Edifying}.] [F. [ e]difier, L. aedificare; aedes a building, house, orig., a fireplace (akin to Gr. ? to burn, Skr. idh to kindle, OHG. eit funeral pile, AS. [=a]d, OIr. aed fire) +… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • edifying — un·edifying; …   English syllables

  • edifying — edify ► VERB (edifies, edified) ▪ instruct or improve morally or intellectually. DERIVATIVES edification noun edifying adjective. ORIGIN Latin aedificare build …   English terms dictionary

  • edifying — adjective enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement (Freq. 1) the paintings in the church served an edifying purpose even for those who could not read • Syn: ↑enlightening • Ant: ↑unedifying …   Useful english dictionary

  • edifying — adjective a) That educates, informs, illuminates or instructs. b) That enlightens or uplifts …   Wiktionary

  • edifying — Synonyms and related words: autodidactic, coeducational, cultural, didactic, disciplinary, educating, educational, educative, enlightening, exhortatory, homiletic, hortatory, illuminating, informative, initiatory, instructive, introductory,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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