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predicatorio

preachy, moralizing

adjective preh-dee-kah-TOH-ryoh Rare
Communication Speech

Usage Note

Predicatorio carries a decidedly negative register in Italian, implying someone lectures others with self-righteous authority. It derives from predicare ('to preach') and is often used in criticism of art, writing, or speech: un tono predicatorio ('a preachy tone'). Learners should note that Italian predicare can mean both 'to preach a sermon' and 'to lecture moralistically'.

Examples

"Il suo discorso aveva un tono predicatorio."

Natural Translation

His speech had a preachy tone.

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