illustrate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
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to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
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Archaic. to enlighten.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
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(tr) to be an example or demonstration of
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(tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
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(tr) an archaic word for enlighten
Other Word Forms
- illustratable adjective
- illustrative adjective
- illustratively adverb
- illustrator noun
- overillustrate verb (used with object)
- preillustrate verb (used with object)
- reillustrate verb (used with object)
- superillustrate verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of illustrate
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin illustrātus, past participle of illustrāre “to illuminate, make clear, give glory to”; il- 1, luster 1, -ate 1
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.
Teams were tasked with illustrating the theme of fair play and Unwin said the sculpture she designed was "ridiculously complicated".
From BBC
While there have been no formal or public movements on a Mavericks sale, Stein’s report illustrates how even billionaire investors aren’t immune to second-guessing selling an investment, also known as “seller’s remorse.”
From MarketWatch
The chart above illustrates the link between consumer sentiment and housing affordability.
From MarketWatch
Mustaine felt covering the song would provide a bookend to his career, illustrating exactly where he was before he formed Megadeth.
From Los Angeles Times
“Just his appearance on the stand illustrates how public opinion has shifted,” said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University, who studies tech in politics.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
