illuminate

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

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

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See synonyms for: illuminate / illuminated / illuminating 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR illuminate

2 clarify, explain, elucidate.

See synonyms for illuminate on Thesaurus.com

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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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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

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. 2022

How to use illuminate in a sentence

It is illuminating to see Glenn in the America of 1968, a very different place from the one that made him famous, campaigning for Bobby Kennedy on a civil rights platform.
Another look at John Glenn through a heroic lens|Francis French|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Historically minded visitors to Rome as well as Roman-history enthusiasts will appreciate the erudition and context with which he illuminates one of the great stories — and personalities — of the ancient world.
What was Nero really doing while Rome burned?|Diana Preston|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Miard and Lacomme switched on their red-light head lamps to illuminate the treetops.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops|Yao-Hua Law|November 20, 2020|Science News
On select weekdays, a different fashion or entertainment personality will push the button that illuminates the facade, the retail version of ringing the bell on the New York Stock Exchange.
NYC for the holidays: The city’s classic traditions have been tweaked for the times|Andrea Sachs|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

“A Burning,” by Megha MajumdarA riveting debut that illuminates three intertwined lives in contemporary India, including a woman whose offhand social media post prompts the government to pin a terrorist attack on her.
50 notable works of fiction in 2020||November 19, 2020|Washington Post
When my oldest child was a toddler, I treated illuminated screens like plutonium.
Yes, Your Toddler Can Watch TV: The New Rules for Screen Time|Russell Saunders|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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
And, as the documentary illuminated, she worked, worked, worked—even if it meant going to the back-of-beyond venues.
Joan Rivers: 'Death Is Like Plastic Surgery'|Tim Teeman|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the evening, St. Peter's and its accessories were illuminated—by far the most brilliant spectacle I ever saw.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Liszt was seated at another grand facing me, and the room was dimly illuminated by one or two lamps.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
In the evening the little theatre is illuminated regardless of expense, a fabulous sum being expended on extra lamps.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The light of education and culture has shone full on every face and illuminated it into all that it might be.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
He knew his cousin, and he had the sensation that an illuminated scroll of fate dangled before his eyes.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

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

illuminate

OTHER WORDS FOR illuminate

Origin of illuminate

OTHER WORDS FROM illuminate

Words related to illuminate

How to use illuminate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for illuminate

Derived forms of illuminate

Word Origin for illuminate