illustrate
[ il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt ]
/ ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪt /
verb (used with object), il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing.
to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
Archaic. to enlighten.
verb (used without object), il·lus·trat·ed, il·lus·trat·ing.
to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples: To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
exhibit, represent, illuminate, typify, mirror, portray, depict, explain, mark, emphasize, expose, clarify, highlight, interpret, delineate, reveal, manifest, personify, epitomize, embody
Nearby words
- illusionist,
- illusive,
- illusively,
- illusory,
- illust.,
- illustrated,
- illustration,
- illustrational,
- illustrative,
- illustrator
Origin of illustrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for illustrate
illustrate
/ (ˈɪləˌstreɪt) /
verb
to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
(tr) to be an example or demonstration of
(tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
(tr) an archaic word for enlighten
Word Origin for illustrate
C16: from Latin illustrāre to make light, explain, from lustrāre to purify, brighten; see lustrum
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
illustrate
1520s, "light up, shed light on;" 1610s, "educate by means of examples," back-formation from illustration, and in some cases from Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrare (see illustration). Sense of "provide pictures to explain or decorate" is 1630s. Related: Illustrated; illustrating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper