# preach

/ˈpɹitʃ/ (US) · /pɹˈiːtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preach
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. religious sermon

verb · CEFR B2

to give a talk about religion or morals, usually in a church.

For teachers: to deliver a sermon or religious discourse during a service or public gathering.

- The priest began to preach about the importance of helping others.
- The visiting minister was invited to preach at the cathedral, delivering a powerful message on social justice to the packed congregation.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' for the audience or 'about' for the topic.

### 2. to advise earnestly

verb · CEFR B2

to strongly recommend a way of behaving or a set of beliefs.

For teachers: to advocate or recommend a particular quality, practice, or belief with great earnestness.

- My parents always preached the value of hard work and honesty.
- While the company leaders preach environmental sustainability in their public statements, their internal policies tell a different story.

### 3. unwanted advice

verb · CEFR B2

to give advice in a way that is annoying or makes you feel like you are being judged.

For teachers: to offer moral advice or criticism in an obtrusive, self-righteous, or tedious manner.

- I know I should exercise more, so please don't preach at me.
- He had a tendency to preach at his colleagues whenever they disagreed with his lifestyle choices, which eventually alienated him from the team.

Usage: Frequently used with the preposition 'at' to indicate the target of the unwanted advice.

## Examples

- He likes to preach about the benefits of a healthy diet.
- The minister stood at the pulpit to preach a sermon about forgiveness and community service.
- While the candidate continued to preach fiscal responsibility to the crowd, critics pointed to his own history of excessive spending during his previous term in office.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.