il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 
illuminated; illuminating
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
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
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
1
archaic
: brightened with light
2
archaic
: intellectually or spiritually enlightened
il·lu·mi·nate
i-ˈlü-mə-nət
archaic
: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment
Synonyms
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
Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Perhaps the brightest name in smart lighting, and certainly one of the longest serving, Philips Hue offers a wide range of gadgetry to illuminate your home and bring some color to your life.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023
But specific, honest writing can help dislodge these oversimplifications and illuminate instead the scores of stories that don’t necessarily unfurl as expected.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2023
The precursor season will illuminate the prospects.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
Flashbacks begin in Act Two, illuminating the conflicts between Robert and his equally brilliant daughter Catherine.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
The lively sports narrative and illuminating urban history are somewhat awkwardly woven together, but this is much more than your average football book.
—Benjamin Shull, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
In the winter, visitors spin around the ice rink, which is illuminated by twinkling lights.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
With a touch of illuminating shimmer, this Ciaté Blush adds that perfect hint of glow to your cheeks, giving you a healthy, flushed look with a touch of brilliance.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces.
—Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022
Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction.
—New York Times, 30 June 2022
Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022
Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat.
—Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021
The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization.
—Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021
If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory.
—Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021
The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges.
—Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017
Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023
Lights in the dash illuminate to tell you the car is waiting for commands, or to give updates on navigation and battery status.
—Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 3 June 2023
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Verb
Holiday centerpiece To illuminate your dinner guests and create a cozy mood, try this elegant centerpiece.
—Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023
Perhaps the brightest name in smart lighting, and certainly one of the longest serving, Philips Hue offers a wide range of gadgetry to illuminate your home and bring some color to your life.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023
But specific, honest writing can help dislodge these oversimplifications and illuminate instead the scores of stories that don’t necessarily unfurl as expected.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 20 Nov. 2023
The precursor season will illuminate the prospects.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
Flashbacks begin in Act Two, illuminating the conflicts between Robert and his equally brilliant daughter Catherine.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Nov. 2023
The lively sports narrative and illuminating urban history are somewhat awkwardly woven together, but this is much more than your average football book.
—Benjamin Shull, WSJ, 16 Nov. 2023
In the winter, visitors spin around the ice rink, which is illuminated by twinkling lights.
—Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2023
With a touch of illuminating shimmer, this Ciaté Blush adds that perfect hint of glow to your cheeks, giving you a healthy, flushed look with a touch of brilliance.
—Samantha Booth, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023
Adjective
The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023
Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces.
—Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022
Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction.
—New York Times, 30 June 2022
Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022
Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat.
—Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021
The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization.
—Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021
If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory.
—Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021
The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges.
—Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017
Noun
Owners may see a parking brake warning light illuminate, along with an instrument-panel message about a problem.
—Alessandra Kaestner, Car and Driver, 31 July 2023
Lights in the dash illuminate to tell you the car is waiting for commands, or to give updates on navigation and battery status.
—Elana Scherr, Car and Driver, 3 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'illuminate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of illuminate was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to illuminate
Dictionary Entries Near illuminate
Cite this Entry
“Illuminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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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
adjective
-ˌnāt-iv
illuminator
noun
-ˌnāt-ər
More from Merriam-Webster on illuminate
Nglish: Translation of illuminate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of illuminate for Arabic Speakers
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