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Synonyms

elucidate

American  
[ih-loo-si-deyt] / ɪˈlu sɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

elucidated, elucidating
  1. to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain.

    an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

    Synonyms:
    illuminate, clarify

verb (used without object)

elucidated, elucidating
  1. to provide clarification; explain.

    Synonyms:
    illustrate, clear up
elucidate British  
/ ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt /

verb

  1. to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

"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

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

  • elucidation noun
  • elucidative adjective
  • elucidator noun
  • nonelucidating adjective
  • nonelucidative adjective
  • unelucidated adjective
  • unelucidating adjective
  • unelucidative adjective

Etymology

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; e- 1, lucid, -ate 1

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.

"Understanding how and why biphonation has evolved is an important step towards elucidating the origins of the amazing vocal diversity of mammalian vocal behavior," says author David Reby of the University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne.

From Science Daily

"But we collected the entire native autoimmune antibody panel from a mouse model with the disease, and we elucidated where specifically they bind onto the receptor."

From Science Daily

Delving deeper, the researchers conducted structural simulations and molecular docking studies to elucidate whether the vitamin K homolog interacts with mGluR1.

From Science Daily

It was a sweeping sweep of a sweep, the Dodgers winning their third consecutive game from the Padres Sunday by a 5-4 margin that does not begin to elucidate the difference between these two teams.

From Los Angeles Times

On the West Coast, he found more “openness” and an “anything goes” ethos that saw the struggling artist move further into music as a means to elucidate and explore creativity.

From Los Angeles Times