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

Billie Eilish and James Cameron team up for a movie that immerses the audience in her performances while also featuring enlightening conversations between two artistic icons about the magic behind the spectacle. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Beta has put in the legwork, sourcing enlightening testimony from figures including Maupin and Alice’s great-nephew Steven Ellison, better known by his producer-musician moniker, Flying Lotus. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Plus, a little more detail on Dexcom’s FDA pilot and an enlightening look at how scribes are working their way into medical education. — Mario Aguilar, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

The Secret Order was canceled after one season, but the show wasn’t exactly working in tandem with Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat, which would’ve been more interesting or at least more enlightening. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for enlightening

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