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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2023

How to use illuminate in a sentence

But their relationship illuminates two bigger problems within our culture: oversharing and commodification.
Welcome to Generation Overshare: Lena Dunham, Taylor Swift, and the Politics of Self-Disclosure|Marlow Stern|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The new ‘Openly Secular’ campaign illuminates prejudice against atheists.
Loud, Proud, and Atheist: ‘Openly Secular’ Encourages Nonbelievers to Come Out of the Closet|Vlad Chituc|September 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We hope our film Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq illuminates the exceptional qualities of Tanny in dance and in life.
The Tragic Downfall of Tanaquil Le Clercq, Ballet’s Greatest Muse|Nancy Buirski|February 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It irritates more than illuminates, partly because the characters and their motivations are all too familiar, almost typical.
This Week’s Hot Reads: November 4, 2013|Damaris Colhoun|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But that limitation really illuminates the talents of these women.
This Week’s Hot Reads: April 8, 2013|G. Clay Whittaker|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
That which illuminates our minds is now called by the theologians intellectus agens.
The Mediaeval Mind (Volume II of II)|Henry Osborn Taylor
It transmits our messages to and from our friends, and prepares the light that illuminates our streets and dwellings.
Gospel Philosophy|J. H. Ward
He illuminates the second (the reasonable man), who in his turn illuminates the third (the sense-man).
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 3|Plotinos (Plotinus)
These fiery orbs are suns like that which illuminates ourselves.
Astronomy for Amateurs|Camille Flammarion
The sun comes out and illuminates the coloured rose window above the church door, which is now opened, disclosing the interior.
The Road to Damascus|August Strindberg

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