illuminate

American  

[ih-loo-muh-neyt, ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt] / ɪˈlu məˌneɪt, ɪˈlu mə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

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.

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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 British  

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

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

Etymology

Origin of illuminate

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

Example Sentences

An orange glow of flames could be seen through windows next to the illuminated BBC Scotland sign on the south side of the building.

From BBC

The 17th Century Baroque Charlottenburg Palace is illuminated in different colours, with falling snowflakes projected onto its facade and wooden stalls in front.

From BBC

Her survey guides readers through this rapidly evolving field and illuminates the shifting dynamics and enduring politics around topics that include food, science, health and beauty.

From The Wall Street Journal

The brief life that Mr. Le Tellier carefully reconstructs illuminates an era when so many ordinary people were called on to be extraordinary.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Our findings thus illuminate a central principle of eukaryotic stress biology," says Beckmann.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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