illustrator
Americannoun
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an artist who makes illustrations.
an illustrator of children's books.
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a person or thing that illustrates.
Etymology
Origin of illustrator
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin, from Latin illustrā(re) “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to” ( illustrate ) + -tor -tor
Explanation
An illustrator is an artist who draws the pictures in a book. Some children's book authors are also illustrators, while others work with an illustrator. Picture books have to be well-written and well-illustrated: it's up to an illustrator to interpret the story through pictures (or illustrations). Illustrators sometimes also draw or paint pictures for comic books, advertisements, magazines, greeting cards, and graphic novels. In the 16th century, an illustrator was "one who enlightens," from a now-obsolete meaning of illustrate, "light up." The Latin root is illustrare, "light up," and also "adorn."
Vocabulary lists containing illustrator
Foundational Reading
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Reading: Literature - Introductory
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Reading: Informational - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Portland, Ore.-based Emek was already dubbed “The Thinking Man’s Poster Artist” by punk icon Henry Rollins years before he became Coachella’s resident illustrator in 2007.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
A keen illustrator, he was also responsible for more than 200 book covers, including the first UK edition of Jack Kerouac's On The Road.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026
The graphic novel illustrator, 38, says he is alarmed by society's increasing dependence on artificial intelligence, which he insists is inferior to the things it is being used to replace.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
Every time Adriana Molina drives up Lake Avenue to her retro-style women’s clothing shop Sidecca in Altadena, she sees the new outdoor mural she commissioned for the store by muralist and illustrator Annie Bolding.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026
In November he decides to learn the art of lithography, Theo’s suggestion long ago, so that he can become an illustrator.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
