illuminate

[ɪˈluːmɪneɪt]

illuminate Definition

• 1. to light up or brighten something
• 2. to explain or make something clear
• 3. to decorate a book or manuscript with designs, pictures, or initials

Using illuminate: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "illuminate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The street lamps illuminate the road at night.

• Example

  The professor used examples to illuminate the concept.

• Example

  The medieval monks would illuminate manuscripts with intricate designs and illustrations.

illuminate Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for illuminate

• brighten
• shine
• clarify
• explain
• light up

Antonyms for illuminate

• darken
• obscure

Phrases with illuminate

• self-illuminating

  able to produce its own light

  Example

  The watch has self-illuminating hands that glow in the dark.

• illuminated manuscript

  a manuscript decorated with designs, pictures, or initials in gold, silver, or bright colors

  Example

  The library has a collection of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages.

• illuminate the way

  to make something clearer or easier to understand

  Example

  The teacher's explanation helped to illuminate the way for the students.

Origins of illuminate

from Latin 'illuminare', meaning 'to light up'

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Summary: illuminate in Brief

The verb 'illuminate' [ɪˈluːmɪneɪt] means to light up or brighten something, to explain or clarify something, or to decorate a book or manuscript with designs. Examples include 'The street lamps illuminate the road at night,' and 'The professor used examples to illuminate the concept.' Phrases include 'self-illuminating,' 'illuminated manuscript,' and 'illuminate the way.'