illuminate

[ verb ih-loo-muh-neyt; adjective noun ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

1. to supply or brighten with light; light up.
2. to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).

   Synonyms: elucidate, explain, clarify

3. to decorate with lights, as in celebration.
4. to enlighten, as with knowledge.
5. to make resplendent or illustrious:

   A smile illuminated her face.

6. to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.

verb (used without object)

, il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing.

1. to display lights, as in celebration.
2. to become illuminated.

adjective

1. Archaic. illuminated.
2. Obsolete. enlightened.

noun

1. Archaic. a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.

illuminate

verb

1. tr to throw light in or into; light up

   to illuminate a room

2. tr to make easily understood; clarify
3. to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights
4. tr to decorate (a letter, page, etc) by the application of colours, gold, or silver
5. intr to become lighted up

adjective

1. archaic.
   made clear or bright with light; illuminated

noun

1. a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment

Derived Forms

• ilˈlumiˌnator, noun
• ilˈluminative, adjective

Other Words From

• il·lumi·nating·ly adverb
• preil·lumi·nate verb (used with object)
• reil·lumi·nate verb reilluminated reilluminating
• semi-il·lumi·nated adjective
• unil·lumi·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin illūminātus, past participle of illūmināre “to light up, brighten”; illumine ( def ), -ate ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate¹

C16: from Latin illūmināre to light up, from lūmen light

Example Sentences

Their approach attempts to illuminate a cosmological constant as well as the properties of leptons and quarks.

From Salon

In Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council said it would illuminate County Hall on Armistice Day evening to "reflect and remember the sacrifices of our armed forces, and all those whose lives have been lost in conflict and acts of terror".

From BBC

I read "Clotel" closely to illuminate how Brown made sophisticated arguments against slavery and the oppression of women that retain contemporary relevance.

From Salon

The exposure length gives him enough time to fire a flash gun manually to illuminate the boat hut surroundings.

From BBC

In “Conclave” he helps to illuminate a walled-off corner of the nation he loves.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clarify
• define
• dramatize
• elucidate
• explain
• illustrate