edifying

Edifying is an adjective describing something that informs or instructs in a morally uplifting or spiritually beneficial way. The term derives from the verb edify, which originally meant to build up, from the Latin aedificare via Old French edifier. In English, the figurative sense appeared in the medieval period and has endured to denote moral, intellectual, or spiritual improvement through instruction or example.

In modern usage, edifying content is not only informative but also morally beneficial, often implying that the experience will strengthen character or values. Edifying books, sermons, lectures, films, or conversations aim to leave the audience with a clearer sense of right and wrong or with renewed motivation to act virtuously. The word typically carries a positive connotation, though it can be used slightly pejoratively to suggest that something is moralizing or sanctimonious.

Edifying contrasts with merely entertaining; something can be entertaining without being edifying, or it can be edifying yet prescriptive. The term is common in religious contexts but is also used in secular discourse to describe discussions or works that promote reflection, virtue, or personal growth.