illustrational

[ il-uh-strey-shuh-nl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of illustrations:

   illustrational art.

2. used for purposes of illustration; serving to illustrate; illustrative.

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrational¹

First recorded in 1880–85; illustration + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Despite finding them “engaging and admirably crafted,” James R. Mellow of The New York Times concluded that the sculptures were “dissatisfying” for their “illustrational stodginess.”

From New York Times

Douglas’s answers came in the form of an original, illustrational idiom that looks stronger than ever today.

From Washington Post

A few veer toward illustrational kitsch, and the prevailing symmetry of their forms can begin to feel complacent.

From Washington Post

His paintings, done in a crisply realistic, highly detailed, somewhat cut-and-paste illustrational style, are far from grim.

From New York Times

That format placed the images in the subordinate illustrational role that he decried.

From New York Times

Related Words

• descriptive
• illustrated
• photographic
• visual
• vivid