adjective
didactic
dy-DAK-tik
Didactic (adjective) means Intended to teach something, especially a moral lesson, as well as to inform or entertain. Example: “Aesop's fables are frankly didactic, each ending in a stated moral.”
adjective
1
Intended to teach something, especially a moral lesson, as well as to inform or entertain.
"Aesop's fables are frankly didactic, each ending in a stated moral."
"The museum takes a didactic approach, explaining every object in detail."
2
Too eager to instruct others, in a way that comes across as preachy or condescending.
"The novel collapses into a didactic lecture in its final chapters."
How to use didactic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMeant to teach you a lesson — sometimes too obviously.
When to use it
Formal; frequent in literary criticism, education and art writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
didactic tone
didactic poem
overly didactic
didactic purpose
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Aesop's fables are frankly _____, each ending in a stated moral.
Etymology
From Greek didaktikos 'skilled at teaching', from didaskein 'to teach'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for didactic
See all rhymes for didactic →Frequently asked questions
Is didactic a compliment or a criticism?
It depends on the context. Applied to a textbook, a museum label or a fable it is neutral and simply describes teaching intent. Applied to a novel, a film or a person it is usually a complaint that the lesson has crowded out the art or the conversation.
What is the difference between didactic and pedantic?
Didactic is about instructing, often morally. Pedantic is about fussing over small details and correctness. A didactic speaker wants to improve you; a pedantic one wants to correct you.
What is the meaning of didactic?
"didactic" (adjective) means intended to teach something, especially a moral lesson, as well as to inform or entertain.
What is another word for didactic?
Other words for "didactic" include instructive, educational, edifying, pedagogic, didactical, preachy.
