enlighten

[ en-lahyt-n ]

verb (used with object)

1. to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to:

   We hope the results of our research will enlighten our colleagues.

   Synonyms: inform, teach, edify, illumine

   Antonyms: puzzle, perplex, confuse, mystify

2. Archaic. to shed light upon.

enlighten

/ ɪnˈlaɪtən /

verb

1. to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
2. to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
3. to give spiritual or religious revelation to
4. poetic.
   to shed light on

Derived Forms

• enˈlightening, adjective
• enˈlightener, noun

Other Words From

• en·light·ened·ly adverb
• en·light·ened·ness noun
• en·light·en·er noun
• non·en·light·ened adjective
• pre·en·light·en verb (used with object)
• pre·en·light·en·er noun
• re·en·light·en verb (used with object)
• un·en·light·ened adjective
• well-en·light·ened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlighten¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English enli(g)htenen; en- ¹, lighten ¹

Example Sentences

And I’ll just pray to the gods of the arts to enlighten me.

From Los Angeles Times

And he’s especially enlightening on the topic that dominated two key races in Austin and Mexico last month.

From BBC

But the most enlightening part of the book was its recounting of California’s uphill struggle to get the rest of America to care about smog.

From Los Angeles Times

He left a legacy of that and I walked away inspired and enlightened, like that’s the glue.

From Los Angeles Times

Jeremy Dauber’s ‘American Scary’ is a thorough, witty, enlightening survey of our fascination with horror in all its forms and its intimate relationship with reality.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquaint
• advise
• civilize
• edify
• educate
• inform
• uplift