enlighten

[en-lahyt-n]

See more synonyms for enlighten on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to: We hope the results of our research will enlighten our colleagues.
Archaic. to shed light upon.

Origin of enlighten

First recorded in 1350–1400, enlighten is from the Middle English word enli(g)htenen. See en-¹, lighten¹

Related formsen·light·ened·ly, adverben·light·ened·ness, nounen·light·en·er, nounen·light·en·ing·ly, adverbnon·en·light·ened, adjectivenon·en·light·en·ing, adjectivepre·en·light·en, verb (used with object)pre·en·light·en·er, nounre·en·light·en, verb (used with object)un·en·light·ened, adjectiveun·en·light·en·ing, adjectivewell-en·light·ened, adjective

Synonyms for enlighten

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1. illumine, edify, teach, inform.

Antonyms for enlighten

1. mystify, confuse, perplex, puzzle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for enlightening

informative, instructional, instructive, broadening, civilizing, edifying, refining, learned, enriching, uplifting, cultural, educative, illuminative, scholarly, scholastic

Examples from the Web for enlightening

Contemporary Examples of enlightening

But one of the most enlightening experiences was realizing how close all of this hits to home.
A Rallying Cry Against the Oversexualization of Our Youth
Darryl Roberts
November 30, 2014
All in all, it was about as enlightening and informative than your usual presidential press conference.
Fiscal Cliff, Day 27: #Stalemate
Daniel Gross
December 3, 2012
Reading this revealing book was both upsetting and enlightening and made me proud of my father for his foresight and courage.
My Father's Peace Proposal
Raja Shehadeh
November 9, 2012
Much looking forward to going on with what is apparently also a trenchant and enlightening book.
Book Bag: What Nick Harkaway Is Reading
Nick Harkaway
November 6, 2012
That's great, governor--how about enlightening the rest of us?
Debate Liveblogging
Megan McArdle
October 17, 2012

Historical Examples of enlightening

At all events, this was a subject upon which I received no enlightening from their confidant.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
This he says for the enlightening and strengthening of our faith.
The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude Preached and Explained
Martin Luther
"She—she's the best ever," was Mr. Farraday's explicit and enlightening answer.
Blue-grass and Broadway
Maria Thompson Daviess
He perceived in a flash that he could remember an infinity of enlightening occurrences.
Tales of Unrest
Joseph Conrad
As you know so much, there can be little harm in enlightening you on that part of the story.
The Grell Mystery
Frank Froest

British Dictionary definitions for enlightening

enlighten

verb (tr)

to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
to give spiritual or religious revelation to
poetic to shed light on

Derived Formsenlightener, nounenlightening, adjective

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

Word Origin and History for enlightening

enlighten

late 14c., "to remove the dimness or blindness (usually figurative) from one's eyes or heart;" see en- (1) + lighten. Old English had inlihtan. Related: Enlightened; enlightening.