illuminate
verb (used with object)
to supply or brighten with light; light up.
was illuminating
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past progressiveof illuminate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The subject line of your email, to play therapist for a moment, was illuminating and revealed the heart of your conundrum.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 10, 2026
The evaluation I scheduled when I got back home was illuminating.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
What Yamamoto shared was illuminating, expressing uncertainty about who he was as a big league pitcher and how to best deploy his arsenal against opposing lineups.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2025
The literature category of Olympic art rarely distinguished itself, but one entry for 1932 was illuminating.
From New York Times ● May 2, 2024
The setting sun was illuminating each blade of grass.
From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo
