illuminate

[verb ih-loo-muh-neyt; adjective, noun ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR illuminate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

to supply or brighten with light; light up.

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

to decorate with lights, as in celebration.

to enlighten, as with knowledge.

to make resplendent or illustrious: A smile illuminated her face.

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

verb (used without object), il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

to display lights, as in celebration.

to become illuminated.

adjective

Archaic. illuminated.

Obsolete. enlightened.

noun

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

Origin of illuminate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin illūminātus (past participle of illūmināre to light up, brighten). See illumine, -ate¹

Related formsil·lu·mi·nat·ing·ly, adverbpre·il·lu·mi·nate, verb (used with object)re·il·lu·mi·nate, verb, re·il·lu·mi·nat·ed, re·il·lu·mi·nat·ing.sem·i-il·lu·mi·nat·ed, adjectiveun·il·lu·mi·nat·ed, adjective

Synonyms for illuminate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR illuminate ON THESAURUS.COM

2. clarify, explain, elucidate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for illuminated

bright

Examples from the Web for illuminated

Contemporary Examples of illuminated

They shared their struggles and triumphs, and illuminated the frontlines of the fight for equality.
A Quorum For Change: The Fight For Global LGBT Equality
Justin Jones
December 11, 2014
The library in Williamsburg itself is illuminated with antique filament bulbs and everything inside is of the past or a nod to it.
Blurred Lines at NY Sketchbook Museum
Daniel Genis
November 1, 2014
A moment ago the drawing-room had seemed empty; Mrs. Luke, in her sole person, filled and illuminated it.
The Best-Dressed Way to Say Goodbye
Justin Jones
October 21, 2014
It has also illuminated its best hope for true freedom, real equality, and vital democracy.
How We Got to Ferguson—a Reading List
David Masciotra
August 23, 2014
One doctor went to Venice Beach to find out—and illuminated tons of problems with the current state of legal weed.
I Got a Weed License in Minutes
Daniela Drake
June 24, 2014

Historical Examples of illuminated

This illuminated the entire room, but in a partial and dismal manner.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
The room had not been illuminated in years as it was that night.
The Little Colonel
Annie Fellows Johnston
The news of Duncan's victory had been made public, and the house was not illuminated.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
Robert Southey
The hall was illuminated by tentaculites, and presented a brilliant appearance.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 13, June 25, 1870
Various
She has illuminated a Salvator on a little sheet, for which I gave her one fl.
Albert Durer
T. Sturge Moore

British Dictionary definitions for illuminated

illuminate

verb (ɪˈluːmɪˌneɪt)

(tr) to throw light in or into; light upto illuminate a room

(tr) to make easily understood; clarify

to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights

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

(intr) to become lighted up

adjective (ɪˈluːmɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt)

archaic made clear or bright with light; illuminated

noun (ɪˈluːmɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt)

a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment

Derived Formsilluminative, adjectiveilluminator, noun

Word Origin for illuminate

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

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 illuminated

illuminate

c.1500, "to light up, shine on," a back-formation from illumination, or else from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare (see illumination). Earlier was enlumyen (late 14c.) "decorate written material with gold, silver, bright colors," from Old French enluminer, from Late Latin inluminare; also illumine (late 14c.). Related: Illuminated; illuminating.