Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - edifying

1. If you describe something as edifying, you mean that it benefits you in some way, for example by teaching you about something. (FORMAL) In the 18th century art was seen, along with music and poetry, as something edifying. = instructive ADJ 2. You say that something is not very edifying when you want to express your disapproval or dislike of it, or to suggest that there is something unpleasant or unacceptable about it. It all brought back memories of a not very edifying past. ADJ: with brd-neg c darkgreen]disapproval