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” ( 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."

Example Sentences

“I wasn’t the best illustrator, and I remember the professor told me that half of illustrations are ideas. That was inspiring.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 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

Baseman is an almost lifelong L.A. resident, aside from the decade he spent in New York working as an illustrator.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Children's authors were also celebrated, with Skandar series creator AF Steadman taking home author of the year, and Dog Man writer and illustrator Dav Pilkey winning best illustrator.

From BBC • May 11, 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