ENGLISH
REFERENCE

didactic

adj.
C2 Proficiency US //daɪˈdæktɪk// UK //dɪdˈæktɪk// di·dac·tic Archaic Medicine
Definition

adj. describing something that is meant to teach or explain a lesson. It often feels a bit boring or too serious because it focuses only on giving information.

adj. intended to instruct or teach; having a moralizing or instructive tone. Often carries a negative connotation of being overly serious or lacking in entertainment value.


SIMPLE

The teacher gave a very didactic lecture on history.

CONTEXTUAL

The book is so didactic that it feels more like a textbook than a story.

COMPLEX

While the author's intent was to educate the public on environmental issues, the didactic tone of the final chapter alienated many readers who preferred a more nuanced approach.

Origin

From French didactique, from Ancient Greek διδακτικός (didaktikós, “skilled in teaching”), from διδακτός (didaktós, “taught, learnt”), from διδάσκω (didáskō, “I teach, educate”). By surface analysis, didact + -ic.

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