illustrated

American

[il-uh-strey-tid] / ˈɪl əˌstreɪ tɪd /

adjective

containing pictures, drawings, and other illustrations.

an illustrated book.

noun

British. a magazine or newspaper regularly containing many photographs or drawings.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of illustrated

First recorded in 1825–35; illustrate + -ed ²

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.

Physicist Erwin Schrödinger famously illustrated the mystery with his thought experiment involving a cat that is simultaneously alive and dead until observed.

From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026

He cites a chart produced recently by Goldman Sachs which illustrated the “explosive growth” in levered exchange-traded funds.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026

Their respective and comparable importance is neatly illustrated by their recent international goal involvements.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

The study illustrated the need for more localised action plans.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

After searching a row of drawers I discover a worn oven mitt, covered in illustrated gingerbread men.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

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