enlightening

[ en-lahyt-n-ing ]
See synonyms for enlightening on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. informative, instructive, or eye-opening; giving intellectual or spiritual light: You are encouraged to watch this very enlightening video to better understand what small family farms are up against.

Origin of enlightening

1
First recorded in 1570–80; enlighten + -ing2

Other words from enlightening

  • en·light·en·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·en·light·en·ing, adjective
  • un·en·light·en·ing, adjective

Words Nearby enlightening

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use enlightening in a sentence

  • Yet it is occasionally enlightening to see that attitude given such clear and unequivocal expression.

    Meanwhile, On The West Bank… | Emily L. Hauser | November 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Not even the description of Wilbur had proved very enlightening.

    Riders of the Silences | John Frederick
  • He had been fond of talking to her about it, and enlightening her on some of its leading principles.

    A Houseful of Girls | Sarah Tytler
  • Owing to an overcast sky, the view was not a great deal more enlightening than that which we had had from below.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • I think there were on the island (now occupied by the statue of Liberty enlightening the World) about three hundred recruits.

    The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete | General Philip Henry Sheridan
  • Val felt instantly he was laughing at her for a kind of travesty of Liberty enlightening the World.

    The Open Question | Elizabeth Robins