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.

This concept is famously illustrated by Schrödinger's cat, a thought experiment in which a cat is considered both alive and dead simultaneously until it is observed.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

Many of the artists featured in the show appear on the illustrated covers of Punk, which are part of N.Y.-based collector Andrew Krivine’s massive trove of music memorabilia.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

The German defence industry has locked onto that trend, as illustrated by the rise of arms maker Rheinmetall in recent years, with the group recently pushing into the naval and dronemaking spheres.

From Barron's • May 16, 2026

There was also an accolade for Michael Rosen, who won the children's non-fiction illustrated award for his latest book with illustrator Helen Oxenbury, titled Oh Dear, Look What I Got!

From BBC • May 11, 2026

A two-page spread of an illustrated dragon practically clawed its way off the page.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

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