enlightened

1 of 2

adjective

en·​light·​ened in-ˈlī-tᵊnd 

en-

1

: freed from ignorance and misinformation

an enlightened people

an enlightened time

2

: based on full comprehension of the problems involved

issued an enlightened ruling

enlightened

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of enlighten

Examples of enlightened in a Sentence

Adjective

an enlightened approach to prison reform

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ladies had enjoyed a period of relative intellectual freedom during the enlightened years of the late eighteenth century, but that window was closing by the time Maria was beginning to publish. — Jeanna Smialek, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

But, to aid your less enlightened friends, advise them to use the 7 Cs of effective communication. — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Back in 1964, even a relatively enlightened critic like Robert Shelton, who played a pivotal role in introducing Bob Dylan to a national audience three years before, was a Beatles skeptic. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Such questions, in fact, may not be the right ones to ask about the man variously described as a teacher, philosopher, maverick mystic, and enlightened person. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for enlightened

• unenlightened
• brightened
• frightened
• heightened
• lightened
• tightened