enlightening

[ en-lahyt-n-ing ]

adjective

1. informative, instructive, or eye-opening; giving intellectual or spiritual light:

   You are encouraged to watch this very enlightening video to better understand what small family farms are up against.

Other Words From

• en·light·en·ing·ly adverb
• non·en·light·en·ing adjective
• un·en·light·en·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlightening¹

First recorded in 1570–80; enlighten ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

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

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

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

For younger audience members who have only come to know Trump in the last decade, the film may prove enlightening.

From BBC

According to a recent Pew Survey, a quarter of the American people haven't heard of either vice presidential candidate — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance — so the debate will be very enlightening for them.

From Salon

Related Words

• informative
• instructional
• instructive