Synonyms

illustrate

American

[il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt] / ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪt /

verb (used with object)

illustrated, illustrating

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)

illustrated, illustrating

to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples.

To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

illustrate British

/ 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

"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

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 Census Bureau’s latest population estimates illustrate how housing supply supports—or stunts—growth.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Although Lloyd may not care to look at them, there are all sorts of fancy metrics that illustrate exactly how odd it is for Arizona to mothball the 3-pointer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Ducournau wants to illustrate how fear itself can be a deadly contagion, a reality anyone who lived through those terrible times already knows too well.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

To illustrate some of the arguments, we have spoken with two women who have been confronted with their own mortality and want to influence the debate in fundamentally different ways.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

To illustrate how attention works, Dr. Gazzaley has an idea.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023