illustrate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
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to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
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Archaic. to enlighten.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
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(tr) to be an example or demonstration of
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(tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
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(tr) an archaic word for enlighten
Other Word Forms
- illustratable adjective
- illustrative adjective
- illustratively adverb
- illustrator noun
- overillustrate verb (used with object)
- preillustrate verb (used with object)
- reillustrate verb (used with object)
- superillustrate verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of illustrate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin illustrātus, past participle of illustrāre “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to”; il- 1, luster 1, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The honours were Macclesfield's, as illustrated by Brentford head coach Keith Andrews graciously going into their dressing room to offer his personal tribute to their display, before speaking in glowing terms about their opponents.
From BBC
Still, the episode illustrates how rumors and reputational associations can drive real-world decisions by parents and school officials in an era of heightened concern about data security and institutional trust.
From Salon
While producers were confident the film could have been shot in Turkey despite the sensitive subject matter, Germany was chosen to illustrate the fact that threats to artistic freedom are universal.
From Barron's
If the amount advanced is smaller, or the repayment window shorter, the effective rate can climb well above 100%, which advocates say illustrates how quickly fees can stack up.
From MarketWatch
People who are adversely affected by underwater mortgages — as this story illustrates — are those who need to sell as soon as possible.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
