illustrator

American  

[il-uh-strey-ter, ih-luhs-trey-ter] / ˈɪl əˌstreɪ tər, ɪˈlʌs treɪ tər /

noun

1. an artist who makes illustrations.

   an illustrator of children's books.

2. a person or thing that illustrates.

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Etymology

Origin of illustrator

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin, from Latin illustrā(re) “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to” ( illustrate ) + -tor -tor

Explanation

An illustrator is an artist who draws the pictures in a book. Some children's book authors are also illustrators, while others work with an illustrator. Picture books have to be well-written and well-illustrated: it's up to an illustrator to interpret the story through pictures (or illustrations). Illustrators sometimes also draw or paint pictures for comic books, advertisements, magazines, greeting cards, and graphic novels. In the 16th century, an illustrator was "one who enlightens," from a now-obsolete meaning of illustrate, "light up." The Latin root is illustrare, "light up," and also "adorn."

Example Sentences

Portland, Ore.-based Emek was already dubbed “The Thinking Man’s Poster Artist” by punk icon Henry Rollins years before he became Coachella’s resident illustrator in 2007.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

He bounced around jobs after graduation, and worked for a number of years as a freelance illustrator in London and New York.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

After a spell as a press photographer, he studied at the Royal College of Art and began a successful career as a book illustrator.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The graphic novel illustrator, 38, says he is alarmed by society's increasing dependence on artificial intelligence, which he insists is inferior to the things it is being used to replace.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

In November he decides to learn the art of lithography, Theo’s suggestion long ago, so that he can become an illustrator.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Related Words

• cartoonist