Synonyms

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

unillustrated adjective
well-illustrated adjective

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 was illustrated in a recent CNN interview with former tradwives — women who actually stayed at home and submitted to their husbands, not the ones peddling this fantasy on social media for cash.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

The image illustrated what many experts say is Field Marshal Asim Munir's growing role at the centre of Pakistan's foreign relations.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

It is expected to release a $38 deluxe edition of his prior hit, “The Martian,” on May 26, complete with illustrated endpapers, followed by a $40 deluxe edition of “Project Hail Mary” on Dec. 1.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Building nuclear reactors can be subject to extremely long delays, as recent examples in France and the UK have illustrated, at Flamanville-3 and Hinkley Point C.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Her book was a volume of English history illustrated with a few drawings which she pointed out to me.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

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