ENGLISH
REFERENCE

didactic

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

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.

Synonyms
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.

© 2026 English Reference