enlightening

adjective

en·​light·​en·​ing in-ˈlīt-niŋ How to pronounce enlightening (audio)
-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,
en-
: providing or tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight
a very enlightening discussion
… he takes readers on enlightening excursions through the nature of Judaism, Hegelian philosophy, wherever his curiosity heads.George Johnson
enlighteningly adverb

Examples of enlightening in a Sentence

an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, an experiment in adjusting screen colors on an old tube television display while working with a colleague proved enlightening. PC Magazine, 22 June 2025 The Luxury realm will offer some enlightening events for attendees, including the Luxury breakfast and keynote address on June 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the San Polo ballroom on level 3 with Duncan Wardle, Head of Innovation & Creativity at The Walt Disney Company. Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 The series, which will conclude its three-episode second season on Thursday, plays like a video postcard of silly and enlightening adventures as O’Brien travels around the world to meet with fans and experience different cultures. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 It's been an enlightening experience to say the least. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enlightening

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enlightening was in 1574

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Cite this Entry

“Enlightening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enlightening. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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