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

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

From BBC

He has shown no enthusiasm for meeting the foreign correspondents, who have a perverse liking for enlightening visitors on the Third Reich, as they see it, and we have not pressed for an interview.”

From Salon

Not at all enlightening as people make out.”

From BBC

Related Words

• informative
• instructional
• instructive