illustrate

[ il-uh-streyt, ih-luhs-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

illustrated, illustrating.

1. to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
2. to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
3. Archaic. to enlighten.

verb (used without object)

illustrated, illustrating.

1. to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples:

   To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.

illustrate

/ ˈɪləˌstreɪt /

verb

1. to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
2. tr to be an example or demonstration of
3. tr to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
4. tr an archaic word for enlighten

Derived Forms

• ˈillusˌtratable, adjective
• ˈillusˌtrative, adjective
• ˈillusˌtratively, adverb
• ˈillusˌtrator, noun

Other Word Forms

• illus·trata·ble adjective
• over·illus·trate verb (used with object) overillustrated overillustrating
• pre·illus·trate verb (used with object) preillustrated preillustrating
• re·illus·trate verb (used with object) reillustrated reillustrating
• super·illus·trate verb (used with object) superillustrated superillustrating

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of illustrate¹

C16: from Latin illustrāre to make light, explain, from lustrāre to purify, brighten; see lustrum

Example Sentences

“By directly noting the deference owed to the executive branch, this ruling once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the president’s authority to conduct foreign policy.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Sometimes you need a bad voice to illustrate a bad lyric and I fit that perfectly," he said.

From BBC

Most countries had faced higher tariffs - as illustrated on Donald Trump's big board - such as on electronics manufacturers in East Asia and they want to keep the levy at the 10% rate.

From BBC

His trial previously heard Bray had told police their map, illustrating where he could not use the speakers, was incorrect.

From BBC

It’s a compelling, occasionally uneven attempt to bring the Beatles back down to Earth by illustrating the humanness of one of its members and the wife he adored.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clarify
• delineate
• depict
• embody
• emphasize
• epitomize
• exhibit
• explain
• expose
• highlight
• illuminate
• interpret
• lay out
• manifest
• mark
• mirror
• personify
• point up
• portray
• represent