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illustrate

[ il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt ]
/ ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪt /
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See synonyms for: illustrate / illustrated / illustrates / illustratable on Thesaurus.com

Definition of illustrate

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.
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Origin of illustrate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin illustrātus, past participle of illustrāre “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to”; see il-1, luster1, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM illustrate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use illustrate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions 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

Derived forms of illustrate

illustratable, adjectiveillustrative, adjectiveillustratively, adverbillustrator, noun

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
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