illuminate

[ih-loo-muh-neyt, ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt]

verb (used with object)

illuminated, illuminating 

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)

illuminated, illuminating 

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

Other Word Forms

• illuminatingly adverb
• preilluminate verb (used with object)
• reilluminate verb
• semi-illuminated adjective
• unilluminated adjective
• illuminator noun
• illuminative 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

When illuminated by the microscope's halogen lamp and analyzed through a spectrometer, the light separates into different wavelengths.

Read more on Science Daily

Combining modern technology and sacred geometry, Mayan Warrior showcased an illuminated mask facade mounted on a medium-duty truck.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Lisa Morton, an author, screenwriter and Halloween historian, told MarthaStewart.com that apple bobbing “has been around since at least the 14th century, when an illuminated manuscript called ‘The Luttrell Psalter’ depicted it in a drawing.”

Read more on Salon

To reveal how all production processes work and illuminate the choreography of efficiency, “Origins” dissects a variety of examples, including the early production of nails, books, lightbulbs and cars.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That means designing platforms that illuminate risk instead of hiding it, using data to teach context rather than chase attention, and making education part of every experience.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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