preach

[preech]

verb (used with object)

1. to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).

2. to deliver (a sermon).

3. to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.

verb (used without object)

1. to deliver a sermon.

2. to give earnest advice, as on religious or moral subjects or the like.

   Synonyms: expound, pronounce, profess, advocate

3. to give earnest advice in an obtrusive or tedious way.

preach

/ priːtʃ /

verb

1. to make known (religious truth) or give religious or moral instruction or exhortation in (sermons)

2. to advocate (a virtue, action, etc), esp in a moralizing way

Other Word Forms

• outpreach verb (used with object)
• unpreached adjective
• preachable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preach¹

1175–1225; Middle English prechen < Old French pre ( ë ) chier < Late Latin praedicāre to preach ( Latin: to assert publicly, proclaim). See predicate

Word History and Origins

Origin of preach¹

C13: from Old French prechier, from Church Latin praedicāre, from Latin: to proclaim in public; see _predicate

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. preach to the choir. preach to the choir.

More idioms and phrases containing preach

• practice what you preach

Example Sentences

But their failure to understand and translate this foreign language does not make his preaching any less powerful.

From Salon

Brook is never one to overthink and will aim to practise the words he preached.

From BBC

When he was still strength coach, McDaniel preached the importance of supplementary traits, such as hip mobility and core stabilization.

From Los Angeles Times

Stewart also preached the value of everything from scratch, which made her revered and resented.

From Salon

Without enough money, whether from the international community, the federal government or provincial budget, it is hard to execute the solutions they've all preached.

From BBC

Related Words

• exhort 
• teach