didactic

/daɪˈdæk.tɪk/

Group 1Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive; in the manner of a teacher
GRE

Example in Context

The novel's didactic tone, with characters who served as mouthpieces for the author's political views, alienated readers seeking nuanced storytelling.

Synonyms

preachyinstructivemoralistic

Etymology

Derived from Greek, it emphasizes teaching with a moral lesson.

  • didaktikos (Greek) — skillful in teaching

Memory Aid

🤒Sounds like “did act sick

A teacher makes students ACT sick to DRIVE home the importance of health—what a DIDACTIC lesson!

Visual Association

📚A serious teacher dramatically acting out sickness in front of a class, with students taking notes.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “didactic” mean on the GRE?

didactic (adjective) means “Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive; in the manner of a teacher”. The novel's didactic tone, with characters who served as mouthpieces for the author's political views, alienated readers seeking nuanced storytelling.

How to remember “didactic” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “didactic” sounds like “did act sick”. A teacher makes students ACT sick to DRIVE home the importance of health—what a DIDACTIC lesson!

What are synonyms for “didactic”?

Common synonyms: preachy, instructive, moralistic.