illuminating

American  

[ih-loo-muh-ney-ting] / ɪˈlu məˌneɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. giving or casting light.

2. informative; enlightening.

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illuminating British  

/ ɪˈluːmɪˌneɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to inform or clarify; instructive

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Other Word Forms

• illuminatingly adverb
• nonilluminating adjective
• nonilluminatingly adverb
• unilluminating adjective

Etymology

Origin of illuminating

First recorded in 1555–65; illuminat(e) + -ing ²

Example Sentences

He would become a pre-eminent scholar of disasters and spend the rest of his long career illuminating the corrosive, collective traumas left in their wake.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some suspects leave behind illuminating writings or social-media posts, but others leave little for authorities to investigate.

From The Wall Street Journal

I also began Joseph Torigian’s “The Party’s Interests Come First,” an illuminating study of the father of China’s current ruler.

From The Wall Street Journal

The knowledge Neal and Samara have acquired since losing Anthony has felt to them like a missing piece that makes sense of his story, and a light illuminating their path ahead.

From Los Angeles Times

Light trickles its way into the hotel room, illuminating a brown coffee table.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enlightening