C1verbphilosophy
US/priːtʃ/
UK/priːtʃ/
to give a religious talk; also to tell people how they should behave, often in an annoying way
In context
The monk preached about patience to a group of young visitors.
Stop preaching at me; I already know I should save money.
Good novels show us hard moral choices without preaching.
Words that go with preach
verb + noun
- practice what you preachIf you want your kids to read, you should practice what you preach.
- preach a messageThe film preaches a message of tolerance without being boring.
- preach toleranceLeaders who preach tolerance should show it themselves.
verb + preposition
- preach to the convertedA climate talk at a green festival is just preaching to the converted.
- preach atTeenagers hate being preached at by adults.
- preach aboutMy uncle loves to preach about healthy eating at every meal.