enlighten

verb

en·​light·​en in-ˈlī-tᵊn 

en-

enlightened; enlightening in-ˈlīt-niŋ 

-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,

en-

transitive verb

1

a

: to furnish knowledge to : instruct

enlightened us about the problem

b

: to give spiritual insight to

2

archaic : illuminate

Synonyms

• acquaint
• advise
• apprise
• brief
• catch up
• clear
• clue (in)
• familiarize
• fill in
• hip
• inform
• instruct
• tell
• verse
• wise (up)

Examples of enlighten in a Sentence

I don't understand what's going on; can someone please enlighten me?

the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries

Recent Examples on the Web

Think carefully about how your content will educate, entertain, or enlighten. —Jon Stojan, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

There is, no doubt, a long thought process there — thin walls, noise, light sleepers, a medical condition Miss Manners has not yet heard of, about which someone would like to enlighten her. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024

By contrast, Sakharov sought to enlighten the Soviet leadership, believing in its rationality and cooperativeness. —Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2024

Visitors 'enlightened' by Buddhist puja ceremony in Bloomington as eclipse begins Hands clasped and heads bowed, four monks begin to pray. —The Indianapolis Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids Definition

enlighten

verb

en·​light·​en in-ˈlīt-ᵊn 

enlightened; enlightening -ˈlīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to give knowledge or understanding to : instruct

enlightened us about the problem

enlightenment

-ᵊn-mənt

noun