What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
glow
Example
The fireflies glowed in the dark. [glowed: past tense]
Example
The sunset created a beautiful orange glow in the sky. [glow: noun]
illuminate
Example
The lamp illuminated the room. [illuminated: past tense]
Example
The teacher used examples to illuminate the concept for the students. [illuminate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Glow is more commonly used than illuminate in everyday language. Glow is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while illuminate is more formal and academic.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between glow and illuminate?
Illuminate is more formal and academic than glow. It is often used in technical or scientific contexts, while glow is more casual and informal.
