verb (used with object), ed·i·fied, ed·i·fy·ing.
- to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift: religious paintings that edify the viewer.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- (tr) to improve the morality, intellect, etc, of, esp by instruction
mid-14c., “to build, construct,” also, in figurative use, “to build up morally or in faith,” from Old French edefiier “build, install, teach, instruct (morally),” from Latin aedificare “to build, construct,” in Late Latin “improve spiritually, instruct” (see edifice). Related: Edified; edifying.