illustrator

American  

[il-uh-stray-ter, ih-luhs-tray-ter] / ˈɪl əˌstreɪ tər, ɪˈlʌs treɪ tər /

noun

• illustrators
  plural

1. an artist who makes illustrations.

   an illustrator of children's books.

2. a person or thing that illustrates.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• illustrators
  plural

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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

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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

See Examples For:

illustrator illustrators

Sara Ah Sing, a 30-year-old multidisciplinary artist in San Diego who considers herself a bunny, is one such illustrator.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026

As Selena, an illustrator, put it, a single mean message “would ruin” their week.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

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

French-Iranian author, director, illustrator and activist Marjane Satrapi, best known for her graphic novel series and film Persepolis, has died aged 56, the Élysée Palace in Paris has confirmed.

From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026

There is a pen-and-ink drawing on page eleven by her father, an illustrator for the magazine: a view of the North Calcutta skyline sketched from the roof of their flat one foggy January morning.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

As the age’s potent mix of terror and delirium spun on, designers and illustrators proposed ways to live comfortably in space, underwater or in underground bunkers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Lucas said he wanted to highlight the work of illustrators.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

It struck musicians and illustrators, YouTubers and Instagrammers, self-proclaimed anxious wrecks and the freest of spirits.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

The postcards were designed by authors and illustrators Nick Sharratt and Sir Quentin Blake.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

Eventually, the student sorters were joined by six local glass menders, a professional glass conservator, and two illustrators.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

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Related Words

• cartoonist

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