illuminate

[ verb ih-loo-muh-neyt; adjective noun ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

1. to supply or brighten with light; light up.
2. to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).

   Synonyms: elucidate, explain, clarify

3. to decorate with lights, as in celebration.
4. to enlighten, as with knowledge.
5. to make resplendent or illustrious:

   A smile illuminated her face.

6. to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.

verb (used without object)

, il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

1. to display lights, as in celebration.
2. to become illuminated.

adjective

1. Archaic. illuminated.
2. Obsolete. enlightened.

noun

1. Archaic. a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.

illuminate

verb

1. tr to throw light in or into; light up

   to illuminate a room

2. tr to make easily understood; clarify
3. to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights
4. tr to decorate (a letter, page, etc) by the application of colours, gold, or silver
5. intr to become lighted up

adjective

1. archaic.
   made clear or bright with light; illuminated

noun

1. a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment

Derived Forms

• ilˈlumiˌnator, noun
• ilˈluminative, adjective

Other Words From

• il·lumi·nating·ly adverb
• preil·lumi·nate verb (used with object)
• reil·lumi·nate verb reilluminated reilluminating
• semi-il·lumi·nated adjective
• unil·lumi·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin illūminātus, past participle of illūmināre “to light up, brighten”; illumine ( def ), -ate ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

C16: from Latin illūmināre to light up, from lūmen light

Example Sentences

A crowd of 200, squished inside the venue and illuminated by stage lights, soon became united in their amazement.

From BBC

The evening, which typically features unique meet-and-greets with Disney villains as well as a parade and an illuminated, ever-so-slightly spooky walk through the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, usually sells out.

From Los Angeles Times

Rasoulof: So I think families always represent a reflection of society, and the specificity of dynamics within family relations can illuminate a much wider issue current at a certain time in society.

From Los Angeles Times

Le Saux embraced the low-light sensitivity of a digital camera and light sources to illuminate the looming intensity of the moment — one that sees George transform from a scared boy into a life-saving hero.

From Los Angeles Times

The doors open to the dimly lit floor where a neon sign in the shape of a lightning bolt illuminates the space.

From Salon

Related Words

• clarify
• define
• dramatize
• elucidate
• explain
• illustrate