Dictionary.com

elucidate

[ ih-loo-si-deyt ]
/ ɪˈlu sɪˌdeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR elucidate

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.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Even if you can't be a professional chef, you can at least talk like one with this vocabulary quiz.
Question 1 of 9
You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?
To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.
To stew in a sauce for a long time.
To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

SYNONYMS FOR elucidate

1 clarify, illuminate.
2 clarify, clear up, illustrate.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR elucidate

synonym study for elucidate

See explain.

OTHER WORDS FROM elucidate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to elucidate

exemplify, expound, illuminate, get across, clear up, decode, explicate, enlighten, prove, clear, gloss, annotate, clarify, unfold, demonstrate, interpret, illustrate, spell out, shed light on, throw light on

Example sentences from the Web for elucidate

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