illuminating

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nat·​ing i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

: providing insight, clarity, or understanding : highly informative

an illuminating remark/discussion

… much of the information is quite illuminating …

—Glenn Kenny

illuminatingly adverb

Synonyms of illuminating

• instructive
• informative
• educational
• educative
• instructional
• informational

Examples of illuminating in a Sentence

the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients

Recent Examples on the Web

This marks an illuminating midpoint in the retrograde cycle, offering insight into the conversations, memories and emotional patterns that have recently resurfaced. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

The monitor has stunning contrast as well, with 1000 nit peak brightness to bring out the both the most illuminating and darkest corners of the screen. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026

Oppenheimer’s team is among the most sophisticated macro analysts on Wall Street, and their framework is genuinely illuminating. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026

In an illuminating scene from Michael, the record-breaking, debate-igniting music biopic, the future King of Pop and his brothers are relaxing at the pool inside the Jackson family’s lavish Hayvenhurst Estate in Encino, California. — Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of illuminate entry 1

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for illuminating

• accelerating
• accentuating
• accommodating
• accumulating
• adjudicating
• administrating
• affiliating
• agglutinating
• alienating
• alleviating
• amalgamating
• ameliorating