illustrator
Americannoun
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illustrators
plural
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an artist who makes illustrations.
an illustrator of children's books.
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a person or thing that illustrates.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of illustrator
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin, from Latin illustrā(re) “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to” ( see 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."
Vocabulary lists containing illustrator
Foundational Reading
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Reading: Literature - Introductory
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Reading: Informational - Introductory
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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.
See Examples For:
The 40-year-old illustrator sold the Siren Head movie rights to Warner Bros. recently for more than $1 million, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Larissa says she is looking forward to the future and her goal is to be a book illustrator.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
Schulz was an illustrator as well as a writer, and before he was murdered during the war he was forced to paint a bedroom mural for an occupying Nazi officer in what is now Ukraine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 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
He worked as an illustrator when he was younger, but he’s been painting for the last twenty years and has a huge online following.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
“We see AI as a tool that can support certain publishing workflows, but not as a replacement for authors, illustrators, publishing professionals or the human intellect and judgment that shape our books.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
The BBC also spoke to 11 artists and illustrators who said they had not been paid for their work with Ms Hansen's brand.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025
Their background showcases work with policymakers, cancer researchers, entrepreneurs and illustrators.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2025
Much attention so far has focused on A.I. wranglers like Buscaglia whose offerings can compete with those of human writers and illustrators.
From Slate ● May 21, 2025
Eventually, the student sorters were joined by six local glass menders, a professional glass conservator, and two illustrators.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
