illuminate

[ih-loo-muh-neyt, ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt]

verb (used with object)

illuminated, illuminating 

1. to supply or brighten with light; light up.

2. to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).

   Synonyms: elucidate, explain, clarify

3. to decorate with lights, as in celebration.

4. to enlighten, as with knowledge.

5. to make resplendent or illustrious.

   A smile illuminated her face.

6. to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.

verb (used without object)

illuminated, illuminating 

1. to display lights, as in celebration.

2. to become illuminated.

adjective

1. Archaic.,  illuminated.

2. Obsolete.,  enlightened.

noun

1. Archaic.,  a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.

illuminate

verb

1. (tr) to throw light in or into; light up

   to illuminate a room

2. (tr) to make easily understood; clarify

3. to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights

4. (tr) to decorate (a letter, page, etc) by the application of colours, gold, or silver

5. (intr) to become lighted up

adjective

1. archaic,  made clear or bright with light; illuminated

noun

1. a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment

Other Word Forms

• illuminatingly adverb
• preilluminate verb (used with object)
• reilluminate verb
• semi-illuminated adjective
• unilluminated adjective
• illuminator noun
• illuminative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin illūminātus, past participle of illūmināre “to light up, brighten”; illumine ( def. ), -ate ¹ ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

C16: from Latin illūmināre to light up, from lūmen light

Example Sentences

"Our findings thus illuminate a central principle of eukaryotic stress biology," says Beckmann.

Read more on Science Daily

Their work shows that light can exert magnetic influence on matter, not simply illuminate it.

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The knowledge Neal and Samara have acquired since losing Anthony has felt to them like a missing piece that makes sense of his story, and a light illuminating their path ahead.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But Sun said the lights that once illuminated the memorial at night had been out for quite a while, and the image of Kennedy has been dulled over time.

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Light trickles its way into the hotel room, illuminating a brown coffee table.

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Related Words

• clarify 
• define 
• dramatize 
• elucidate 
• explain 
• illustrate