illustration

[il-uh-strey-shuhn]

noun

1. something that illustrates, as a picture in a book or magazine.

2. a comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.

   Synonyms: explication

3. the act or process of illuminating.

4. the act of clarifying or explaining; elucidation.

5. Archaic.,  illustriousness; distinction.

illustration

/ ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən /

noun

1. pictorial matter used to explain or decorate a text

2. an example or demonstration

   an illustration of his ability

3. the act of illustrating or the state of being illustrated

Other Word Forms

• nonillustration noun
• overillustration noun
• preillustration noun
• reillustration noun
• superillustration noun
• illustrational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustration¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin illustrātiōn- (stem of illustrātiō ) “the act of making vivid, illustrating”; illustrate, -ion

Synonym Study

See case ¹.

Example Sentences

This transition can be traced in “Icons of the Fantastic,” a catalog of Stephen Korshak’s superlative collection of fantasy illustrations from the past 160 years.

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The pulp magazines that featured 20th-century fantasy and science fiction were fronted by illustrations that could be laughable or lurid.

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Packed with illustrations and full of attractions on every page, these selections will delight readers of all ages and interests.

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In such cases, the ideal go-to books are likely to be those that are big, fun, full of illustrations and well-suited to browsing.

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Enthusiasts of the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age will be delighted to learn of the more quotidian arts that rounded out this visually rich epoch: hand-wrought lace, calligraphy, botanical illustrations and more.

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Related Words

• cartoon 
• decoration 
• depiction 
• engraving 
• etching 
• image 
• painting 
• photo 
• photograph 
• picture 
• sketch 
• snapshot 
• vignette