illuminate

1 of 3

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 

illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to supply or brighten with light

(2)

: to make luminous or shining

b

: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually

c

: to subject to radiation

d

archaic : to set alight

2

a

: to make clear : elucidate

b

: to bring to the fore : highlight

a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are

3

: to make illustrious or resplendent

4

: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

illuminator

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

illuminate

2 of 3

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət 

1

archaic : brightened with light

2

archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

3 of 3

noun

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət 

archaic

: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Synonyms

Verb

• bathe
• beacon
• emblaze
• illume
• illumine
• irradiate
• light
• lighten

Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

Verb

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun

A university study has illuminated the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Winding factual aspects of the surrealist art movement through a fictional story, the authors quietly but accurately illuminate how female painters have been marginalized throughout history, often expected to live in the shadows of more successful – but not necessarily more talented – male artists. —Joan Gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2024

But cracks were exposed in that firewall, illuminating some of the same dynamics that have buoyed right-wing parties elsewhere in Europe. —Josh Feldman, NBC News, 8 July 2024

Adjective

The pillars are illuminate, educate, engage, energize, and future. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024

The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023

Noun

Subscribe to Axios Communicators for more stories like this Colin Demarest Jul 10, 2024 - World Inside the next era of warfare: How tech is reshaping the battlefield Conflicts abroad and defense-contract competitions at home illuminate in real time the future of America's war machine. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024

Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illuminate

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate

il-ˈü-mə-ˌnāt

illuminated; illuminating

1

: to supply with light : light up

illuminate a room

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun

2

: to make clear : explain

illuminated the point with good examples

3

: to decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors

illuminate a manuscript

illuminative

-ˌnāt-iv

adjective

illuminator

-ˌnāt-ər

noun