preach
B2Neutral to formal; often critical in secular extended use.
Definition
Meaning
To deliver a sermon or religious discourse.
To publicly advocate or strongly recommend a principle, belief, or way of living, often in a moralizing or persistent manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its religious core meaning, the subject is usually a religious figure. In its extended, often secular meaning, it connotes a tone of moral superiority, dogmatism, or unwanted advice-giving. The phrase "practise what you preach" highlights the negative connotation of hypocrisy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb is used identically in core and extended meanings. The noun 'preach' (as in 'a good preach') is slightly more common in informal UK Christian contexts.
Connotations
Identical. Both varieties use the extended meaning critically ('stop preaching at me').
Frequency
Comparably frequent, given shared religious and cultural linguistic heritage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] preach [to Audience] [about/on Topic][Subject] preach [Object: sermon/gospel/message] [to Audience][Subject] preach [that-clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Practise what you preach”
- “Preach to the choir/converted”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically: 'The CEO preaches innovation but won't fund new projects.'
Academic
Rare in core meaning. Used in religious studies or metaphorically in social sciences: 'The author preaches a doctrine of radical equality.'
Everyday
Most common in the critical extended sense: 'I wish he'd stop preaching about healthy eating.'
Technical
Primarily in theology/ministry contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The vicar will preach on the parable of the Good Samaritan this Sunday.
- He's always preaching about recycling, which is a bit much.
American English
- The pastor preached a powerful sermon about forgiveness.
- Don't preach at me—I know I should exercise more.
adverb
British English
- (Non-standard/Very rare, not advised for learners)
American English
- (Non-standard/Very rare, not advised for learners)
adjective
British English
- (Rare) He's got a very preach-y tone sometimes.
- The article was rather preachy in its conclusion.
American English
- (Rare) I found his advice a little preachy and off-putting.
- She avoided a preachy style in her motivational talk.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The priest preaches in the church.
- My mum preaches about being tidy.
- He preached a sermon about helping the poor.
- She's always preaching the importance of a good education.
- The activist preached non-violent resistance to the crowd.
- It's easy to preach tolerance but harder to live it.
- The management consultant preached a gospel of disruptive innovation, but the old guard resisted.
- His lectures often devolved into preaching to the converted, offering little new insight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A PREAcher reaches people with a PREAch. Both words start with the same sound and letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL/RELIGIOUS ADVICE IS A PUBLIC SPEECH (often delivered from a position of height/authority).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'проповедовать' for secular, non-dogmatic 'advocate' or 'promote'. In Russian, 'проповедовать' can be neutral; in English, 'preach' is often negative outside religion.
- Do not use 'read preach' for 'deliver a sermon'. The collocation is 'preach a sermon'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'He preached us about kindness.' Correct: 'He preached to us about kindness.' or 'He preached kindness to us.'
- Incorrect (register): *'My friend preached me to try yoga.' (Too strong). Correct: 'My friend strongly recommended I try yoga.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'preach' in its most common *secular* and *critical* sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In its core religious context ('preach a sermon'), it is neutral. The negative connotation arises in secular contexts when it implies unsolicited, dogmatic, or hypocritical moralizing.
'Preach to' is neutral, indicating the audience. 'Preach at' is almost always negative, implying a condescending, lecturing tone directed at someone.
Yes, this is very common. It means to advocate for something zealously, often a principle or behaviour (e.g., 'preach patience', 'preach fiscal responsibility').
It means to try to persuade people who already agree with you. It implies the effort is unnecessary or wasted.