edifice
ED-ih-fiss
/ˈɛdɪfɪs/
A building, especially a large, imposing one.
Often used metaphorically to describe a complex system of beliefs or a large organization.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'aedificium.' The root 'aedis' originally referred to a hearth or fireplace, the center of a home, which eventually came to mean the whole dwelling.
Word relationships
- structure: Structure is neutral; edifice implies size and importance.
- shack: A shack is small and poorly built; an edifice is grand and substantial.
Commonly confused with
- monument: A monument is built to remember someone/something; an edifice is a functional (though grand) building.
Word family
- edification (noun): The instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually (building up the mind).
Collocations
- grand edifice
- imposing edifice
- crumbling edifice
Example sentences
- "The cathedral was a magnificent edifice of stone and stained glass." Literature
- "The whole edifice of the legal system was built on the concept of precedent." Metaphorical
Memory hook
Think of 'edifice' as a 'giant office'—it's a massive, imposing building. A grand building.
When not to use
Don't use for a shed, a small house, or a simple structure. It implies grandeur or scale.
Fun facts
- The word 'edify' (to teach) comes from the same root—it means to 'build up' someone's character.
Related words
Also appears in
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