What does catechise mean?
To catechise is to teach by asking: the word describes instruction delivered through a structured exchange of questions and answers, a method long associated with religious education, particularly preparing young people for confirmation in Christian churches. A catechist might catechise pupils on the creeds, the commandments, and the sacraments until their answers become fluent. By extension, the verb also means to question someone closely or persistently — journalists may be said to catechise a politician, or an anxious parent to catechise a teenager returning late at night. The word entered English in the sixteenth century from Greek roots meaning 'to instruct orally', literally 'to sound something down' into the hearer's ears. Catechise is the usual British spelling, while American usage favours catechize. Formal and somewhat literary in register, it lends precision to any description of systematic questioning, whether sacred or secular.
To instruct someone by means of a formal sequence of questions and answers, especially in religious doctrine; to examine or question someone in this way.
"The priest catechised the children on the meaning of each line of the Lord's Prayer."
The spelling "catechize" is standard in American English.
To question someone closely, persistently, or searchingly; to interrogate.
"She catechised him about where he had been all evening."
This extended sense is figurative and often carries a tone of teasing scrutiny rather than formal examination.
Every time you grill someone with relentless questions, you're doing what ancient Greek teachers did by mouth — the word literally means 'to sound down' into a pupil's ears.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of catechise
Catechise derives ultimately from the Greek verb katechein, formed from kata ('down') and echein ('to sound'), hence literally 'to sound down' — reflecting oral instruction by spoken question and answer in the early Church. The word passed into ecclesiastical Latin as catechizare and reached English in the sixteenth century, first appearing in religious contexts. Its cognates include catechism, the instructional manual itself, and catechumen, a convert under instruction, all sharing the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How catechise is actually used
"Catechise" is the standard British spelling, with "catechize" preferred in American English. The religious sense is formal and largely tied to church traditions such as confirmation classes; the figurative sense of questioning someone relentlessly often carries a slightly humorous or critical tone when applied to everyday situations.
Easily confused with catechise
Catechize is simply the American spelling of the same word; catechise is the standard British spelling.
A catechism is the noun for the fixed text or manual of questions and answers used in instruction, while catechise is the verb describing the act of teaching that way.