What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
edify
Example
The teacher's goal is to edify her students on the importance of critical thinking. [edify: verb]
Example
The book aims to edify readers on the principles of effective leadership. [edify: verb]
enlighten
Example
The documentary aims to enlighten viewers on the impact of climate change. [enlighten: verb]
Example
The professor's lecture enlightened the students on the history of the civil rights movement. [enlightened: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enlighten is more commonly used than edify in everyday language. Enlighten is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while edify is less common and typically used in more formal or educational settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between edify and enlighten?
Edify is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone, while enlighten can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality level.