educate
gb/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt/ us/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Teach knowledge or skills
To teach someone so they can learn new facts or skills.
Usage pattern:
to educate [someone] [in/about something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'educate' with 'learn'. Remember: 'educate' is what a teacher does; 'learn' is what a student does.
Synonyms
teach (A more general term, often used for giving lessons in any setting.)
|
instruct (More formal and often used in structured or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
misinform (To give someone false or incorrect information.)
|
ignore (To fail to provide knowledge or guidance.)
Collocations
educate the public
|educate children
|educate students
|educate yourself
|educate about health
Themes
education
|learning
|teaching
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The program aims to educate children about healthy eating.
- Teachers work hard to educate their students in math and science.
- We need to educate the public about the dangers of smoking.
- She was educated in a small rural school.
- The campaign is designed to educate people on environmental issues.
Learner examples
- My teacher will educate us about history.
- Parents should educate their children about safety.
- The school will educate new students.
- He wants to educate people about clean water.
- They try to educate visitors about the rules.
Verb
B1
action
2
Develop mind or character
To help someone think better or become a better person through learning.
Usage pattern:
to educate [someone] [to be/do something]
Synonyms
cultivate (Focuses on gradual improvement of abilities or qualities.)
|
enlighten (Often implies giving deeper understanding or insight.)
Antonyms
corrupt (To cause moral decline instead of improvement.)
Collocations
educate the mind
|educate taste
|educate judgment
Themes
education
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Travel can educate a person in ways that books cannot.
- Good literature can educate our emotions as well as our minds.
- Parents have a duty to educate their children to be respectful.
Learner examples
- Reading can educate your mind.
- Travel can educate you about life.
- Good movies can educate people about kindness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
educate
IPA
GB/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt/
US/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
edu - cate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (edu)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: educate
- 3rd Person Singular: educates
- Present Participle: educating
- Past: educated
Word family
Forms
educates
verb
educating
verb
educated
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
uneducated
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
educationally
adverb B2
Expressions
educate oneself
1/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Learn by oneself
To get knowledge or skills by reading, studying, or practicing without being directly taught by someone else.
Examples
- She educated herself by reading hundreds of books.
- With the internet, it's easier than ever to educate oneself on any topic.
educate the public
1/ˈɛd͡ʒəkˌeɪt ðə pˈʌblɪk/
fixed phrase
Inform the general public
To give information to many people so they understand an important subject.
Examples
- The charity works to educate the public about child safety.
- We must educate the public on how to prepare for emergencies.