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

Still, the next few weeks will be illuminating for the Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times

What has this experience illuminated for you about any potential internalized prejudice, or how has it been a teaching moment?

From Los Angeles Times

But perhaps it was illuminating, as this entire endless year has been illuminating.

From Salon

“Marty Supreme” “ ‘A House of Dynamite’ is divided into three parts, each one expanding and illuminating the movie’s unsettling scenario – there’s a nuclear missile of unknown origin heading toward Chicago.

From Los Angeles Times

“Moon Safari” didn’t need much else, but what it got was illuminating.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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