enlightening

adjective

en·​light·​en·​ing in-ˈlīt-niŋ 

-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

Synonyms of enlightening

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

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

The team dropped this enlightening infographic on X, and it's packed with fun stats and big numbers. —Ian Stokes, Space.com, 3 Mar. 2026

In a curious twist of fate, around a hundred miles from our tree houses, another protest movement had been growing, providing an enlightening counterpoint to our own. —Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Understanding this is enlightening and leads to prioritizing friendships that align with your needs. —Rebecca Fearn, SELF, 10 Feb. 2026

The Tribune’s enlightening article reminds us that Illinois was once the nation’s third-largest oil producer. —Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enlightening

• brightening
• frightening
• heightening
• lightening
• tightening
• whitening