What does "preach" mean?
A religious discourse.
Preach
intj, noun, verb, slang
intj, noun, verb, slang ·1 syllable ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A religious discourse.
- Grammar: preach is listed as intj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: advocate, address, admonish, advise.
- Useful contrasts: disapprove, ignore, listen.
- Usage evidence: You don't practice what you preach.
How to use "preach"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "preach" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "preach" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "preach" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "preach" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "preach" is acting as intj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "advocate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "preach", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A religious discourse. obsolete
"he make peace in his preaches and play with esteem"
Verb
- 1 To give a sermon. intransitive
"Our pastor can preach very well."
- 2 speak, plead, or argue in favor of wordnet
- 3 To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue. transitive
"The Spirit of the Lord God is vpon me, therefore hathe the Lord anointed me: he hathe ſent me to preache good tidings vnto the poore,[…]"
- 4 deliver a sermon wordnet
- 5 To advise or recommend earnestly. transitive
"My Mʳ preaches patience to him,[…]"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching. transitive
"The Spirits of the Dead, / Quitting their mortal mansion, enter not, / As falsely ye are preached, their final seat / Of bliss, or bale;[…]"
- 7 To give advice in an offensive or obtrusive manner. intransitive
Intj
- 1 Used to express strong agreement (as if encouraging somebody to continue speaking). slang
"– If you can't do the time, don't do the crime! – Preach!"
Antonyms
Example
"You don't practice what you preach."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "preach"?
Common synonyms include: advocate, address, admonish, advise, advocate, cant.
How do you use "preach" in a sentence?
You don't practice what you preach.
Etymology
From Middle English prechen, from Old French prëechier, precchier (Modern French prêcher), from Latin praedicō (“to proclaim, announce”, literally “to fore-assign, pre-dedicate”). Doublet of predicate. The Latin word is also the source of Old English predician (“to preach”), Saterland Frisian preetje (“to preach”), West Frisian preekje (“to preach”), Dutch preken (“to preach”), German Low German preken (“to preach”), German predigen (“to preach”), Danish prædike (“to preach”), Swedish predika (“to preach”), Icelandic prédika (“to preach”), Norwegian Nynorsk preika (“to preach”).