illuminate

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

/ verb ɪˈlu məˌneɪt; adjective, noun ɪˈlu mə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

SEE 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.

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Origin of illuminate

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

SYNONYMS FOR illuminate

2 clarify, explain, elucidate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR illuminate ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM illuminate

il·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, adjective

un·il·lu·mi·nat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for illuminate

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
The most notable object in the study was a framed, illuminated oblong about five feet long and perhaps two and a half feet wide.
Marjorie Dean College Junior|Pauline Lester
At night the summits of the mountains and the town were illuminated with bonfires, with charming effect.
Memoirs of the Duchesse De Dino|Duchesse De Dino
It was not easy for him to join in the chatter of the others, but he was thinking how she illuminated her own words.
Jewel Weed|Alice Ames Winter
Nine years afterward a Frenchman named Lebon illuminated his house and garden in Paris with gas produced from wood.
Great Inventions and Discoveries|Willis Duff Piercy
The room was illuminated only by four wax candles with red shades.
The Riverman|Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for illuminate

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 forms of illuminate

illuminative, 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

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illuminate

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