enlighten

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verb en·light·en \in-ˈlī-t^ən, en-\

: to give knowledge or understanding to (someone) : to explain something to (someone)

en·light·eneden·light·en·ing \-ˈlīt-niŋ, -t^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of ENLIGHTEN

transitive verb

1

archaic :  illuminate

2

a :  to furnish knowledge to :  instruct <enlightened us about the problem>

b :  to give spiritual insight to

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Examples of ENLIGHTEN

1. I don't understand what's going on; can someone please enlighten me?
2. <the lecturer at the planetarium enlightened us about the latest astronomical discoveries>

First Known Use of ENLIGHTEN

1587

Related to ENLIGHTEN

Synonyms

acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, catch up, clear, clue (in), familiarize, fill in, hip, inform, instruct, tell, verse, wise (up), keep (one) posted, let (one) know

Related Words

advertise, alert, notify; announce (to), disclose (to); assure, certify, convince, reassure, warrant; educate, lecture, school, teach, tutor; disabuse, disenchant, disillusion, undeceive

Near Antonyms

misinform, mislead