illustrate

American  

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

verb (used with object)

illustrated, illustrating

1. to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.

2. to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.

3. Archaic. to enlighten.

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verb (used without object)

illustrated, illustrating

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

   To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

illustrate British  

/ ˈɪləˌstreɪt /

verb

1. to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc

2. (tr) to be an example or demonstration of

3. (tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures

4. (tr) an archaic word for enlighten

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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”; see il- ¹, luster ¹, -ate ¹

Explanation

To illustrate is to make something more clear or visible. Children's books are illustrated with pictures. An example can illustrate an abstract idea. The word illustrate comes from the Latin illustrare 'to light up or enlighten.' Pictures in a book enlighten the reader, and a good example can enlighten someone on a complex topic. Another use: The government's actions illustrate how out of touch it is with the people. The history of this word illustrates how language changes over time, and how knowing the original meaning can help you understand the word in a deeper way.

Example Sentences

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

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

But services such as Doctronic’s that make medical care more accessible and affordable will illustrate the benefit, said Bradley Tusk, founder and CEO of Doctronic investor Tusk Ventures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

I have an issue that, while affecting only a small group of people, might illustrate broader concerns around required minimum distributions, rollovers and retirement planning.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

To illustrate, if you bought a share of stock for $5 a decade ago and then sold it for $9, your capital gain of $4 is subject to the tax.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

But even to pose that question is to illustrate the gap between ancient perspectives and our own expectations of mass literacy.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• clarify
• delineate
• depict
• embody
• emphasize
• epitomize
• exhibit
• explain
• expose
• highlight
• illuminate
• interpret
• lay out
• manifest
• mark
• mirror
• personify
• point up
• portray
• represent