illuminating

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nat·​ing i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

: providing insight, clarity, or understanding : highly informative

an illuminating remark/discussion

… much of the information is quite illuminating …

—Glenn Kenny

illuminatingly adverb

Synonyms of illuminating

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

Examples of illuminating in a Sentence

the show is an illuminating tutorial on ways to prepare popular dishes using wholesome ingredients

Recent Examples on the Web

The ultra-cinematic heroics feel too large and dazzling for the material, the classic movie tropes too formulaic, and the illuminating effect of all of it is more mechanical than organic. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025

Molly’s world comes to life in performances from Rob Delaney, Robby Hoffman, Esco Jouléy, Paula Pell, and David Rasche, who turn a show that could come off as cramped and maudlin into a story that feels expansive, joyful, illuminating. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

Thank you so much—really illuminating conversation. —Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

The season’s soft, golden light spills across galleries of glass and stone, illuminating interiors like living canvases. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of illuminate entry 1

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for illuminating

• accelerating
• accentuating
• accommodating
• accumulating
• adjudicating
• administrating
• affiliating
• agglutinating
• alienating
• alleviating
• amalgamating
• ameliorating