illustrate

[il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt]

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.

verb (used without object)

illustrated, illustrating 

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

   To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

illustrate

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• illustratable adjective
• overillustrate verb (used with object)
• preillustrate verb (used with object)
• reillustrate verb (used with object)
• superillustrate verb (used with object)
• illustrative adjective
• illustratively adverb
• illustrator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrate¹

C16: from Latin illustrāre to make light, explain, from lustrāre to purify, brighten; see _lustrum

Example Sentences

The menu, where all items cost $1, illustrated just how important it was to market to low-income consumers — who value getting the most bang for their buck.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Segal’s actions illustrate the challenges universities face in balancing free speech with the responsibilities of student engagement, especially when activism directly affects vulnerable populations.

Read more on Salon

The two exchanged dozens of emails, illustrating a notably symbiotic connection between a writer and a source.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

YouTube even offers audio show producers the ability to generate video using artificial intelligence to better illustrate their show on the platform.

Read more on Barron's

To illustrate a 4% chance, he said, he would sometimes take out a deck of cards, shuffle them and tell patients, “You have to pick a black ace from the deck to have a baby.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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