elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]

/ ɪˈlu sɪˌdeɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: elucidate / elucidating / elucidation / elucidative on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain: an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

verb (used without object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

to provide clarification; explain.

SYNONYMS FOR elucidate

1 clarify, illuminate.

2 clear up, illustrate.

See synonyms for elucidate on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!

Loosen up your grammar muscles because it’s time to test your knowledge on verb tenses!

Question 1 of 6

The verb tenses can be split into which 3 primary categories?

action, linking, and helping

dynamic, static, and auxiliary

past, present, and future

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar Coach

Improve Your Writing

Origin of elucidate

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin ēlūcidātus “enlightened” (past participle of ēlūcidāre ), equivalent to ē- intensive prefix + lūcid(us) “bright, shining, clear, clear to the understanding” + -ātus adjective suffix; see origin at e-¹, lucid, -ate¹

OTHER WORDS FROM elucidate

e·lu·ci·da·tion [ih-loo-si-dey-shuhn], /ɪˌlu sɪˈdeɪ ʃən/, noune·lu·ci·da·tive, adjectivee·lu·ci·da·tor, nounnon·e·lu·ci·dat·ing, adjective

non·e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjectiveun·e·lu·ci·dat·ed, adjectiveun·e·lu·ci·dat·ing, adjectiveun·e·lu·ci·da·tive, adjective

Words nearby elucidate

Elton, El Toro, eluant, Éluard, eluate, elucidate, elucidation, elucubrate, elude, eluent, Elul

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say elucidate?

To elucidate something is to throw light upon it or make it clear. How does elucidate compare to synonyms explain, expound, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use elucidate in a sentence

To casually reinforce Carlson’s rhetoric, for whatever reason, in a hearing focused on actually elucidating the causes of migration from the region is jarring.
Tucker Carlson’s toxic ‘replacement’ rhetoric gets picked up in the House|Philip Bump|April 14, 2021|Washington Post
The statements elucidate enslaved people’s hatred of slavery, actions for their own liberation and ability to bring a major colonial port city to a near-standstill.
Little-known voices sing the history of slavery and resistance|Chandra Manning|March 5, 2021|Washington Post
Now that the researchers have elucidated how different kinds of defects like wrinkles, domes, and holes impact the properties of these 2D materials, they’re working on ways to precisely pattern them to create more complex chips.
Graphene ‘Nano-Origami’ Could Take Us Past the End of Moore’s Law|Edd Gent|March 1, 2021|Singularity Hub
These visual aids elucidate the complicated mathematical concepts underlying Mirzakhani’s work, for which she won the Fields Medal in 2014.
A documentary and a Bollywood film highlight two disparate paths in mathematics|Emily Conover|October 15, 2020|Science News

Because the double pentagon and the dodecahedron are geometric cousins, the former’s high degree of symmetry can elucidate the structure of the latter.
Mathematicians Report New Discovery About the Dodecahedron|Erica Klarreich|August 31, 2020|Quanta Magazine
The Biggest Loser could elucidate just what kind of a commitment it takes to be successful in the long-term.
‘The Biggest Loser’ Could Be TV’s Most Important Show Ever|Daniela Drake|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The study aimed to help elucidate the common motivations for pursuing a double mastectomy.
Study Shows “Angelina Effect” Leads to Unnecessary Procedures for Some Breast Cancer Patients|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To elucidate his point, he turned a boot upside down and pointed to the thick, tire-like treads on its sole.
Obama's Fashion Faux Pas|Nicole LaPorte|June 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
To elucidate this it is necessary to plunge into the jungle of pure economic theory.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
I was so happy at the opportunity to elucidate my motives to intelligent Americans,—and he was sleeping!
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist|Alexander Berkman
Perhaps some of your correspondents would elucidate this singular oblation.
Notes and Queries, Number 192, July 2, 1853|Various
In dwelling so long on this point my object was not so much to elucidate Liszt's meaning as Chopin's character as a composer.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
Toryl, somewhat deflated, but by no means defeated, hastened to elucidate.
Jubilation, U.S.A.|G. L. Vandenburg

British Dictionary definitions for elucidate

elucidate

/ (ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt) /

verb

to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

Derived forms of elucidate

elucidation, nounelucidative or elucidatory, adjectiveelucidator, noun

Word Origin for elucidate

C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see lucid

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

elucidate

verb (used with object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

verb (used without object), e·lu·ci·dat·ed, e·lu·ci·dat·ing.

SYNONYMS FOR elucidate

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!

Meet Grammar Coach

Meet Grammar Coach

Origin of elucidate

OTHER WORDS FROM elucidate

Words nearby elucidate

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say elucidate?

Words related to elucidate

How to use elucidate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for elucidate

verb

Derived forms of elucidate

Word Origin for elucidate