illustrate

verb il·lus·trate \ ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt also i-ˈlə- \

Definition of illustrate

illustrated; illustrating

transitive verb

1 obsolete

a :enlighten

b :to light up

2 a archaic :to make illustrious

b obsolete

(1) :to make bright

(2) :adorn

3 a :to make clear :clarify

b :to make clear by giving or by serving as an example or instance

c :to provide with visual features intended to explain or decorate

illustrate a book

4 :to show clearly :demonstrate

intransitive verb

:to give an example or instance

—

illustrator

play \ˈi-lə-ˌstrā-tər also i-ˈlə-\ noun

See illustrate defined for English-language learners

See illustrate defined for kids

Examples of illustrate in a Sentence

He illustrated his lecture with stories of his own experiences in the field.
Please give a few examples to illustrate your point.
The results illustrate how important it is to wear your seatbelt.
The students will write and illustrate their own stories.

Recent Examples of illustrate from the Web

Party Feud Arizona also illustrates Trump’s fraught relationship with his own party.

— jennifer epstein, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Seeks Rebound With Rally, Focus on Immigration in Arizona," 22 Aug. 2017
The senator is currently in an escalating feud with the president — a spat that illustrates the upside-down world of Republican politics heading into the 2018 elections.

— bob christie, The Seattle Times, "Trump Phoenix rally to highlight feisty feud with senator," 19 Aug. 2017
Idaho Power illustrated the same concept with a video posted to their Facebook page in July.

— kate irby, miamiherald, "Why it’s risky to leave water bottles in your car, according to first responders," 10 Aug. 2017
Now, and image of the new iPhone in some sort of case illustrates it's flashiest feature: that big, beautiful screen.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "Latest iPhone Leak Shows a Big, Beautiful Screen," 8 Aug. 2017
Financiers look favourably on Latin American governments and companies, as Argentina’s recent launch of a 100-year bond illustrated.

— The Economist, "Latin America’s disappointing economic growth," 20 July 2017
But the administration is actively undermining the law in several different ways, as Michael Hilzik of The Los Angeles Times illustrates.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Even if Trumpcare Fails, They'll Blame Democrats," 28 June 2017
UC Health’s community benefits reports – annual statements, required under the ACA, on how much care hospital systems give away or subsidize – illustrate the staggering amounts of money potentially involved.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati hospitals tell workers: Speak out against ACA repeal in Senate," 26 June 2017
A series of announcements at the Paris Air Show expected in coming days illustrates the immense promise of airliner parts...

— andy pasztor, WSJ, "3-D Printed Airliner Parts Face Regulatory Headwinds," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'illustrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of illustrate

Latin illustratus, past participle of illustrare, from in- + lustrare to purify, make bright — more at luster

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

See Words from the same year

illustrate Synonyms

Synonyms

demonstrate, exemplify, instance

Antonyms

obscure

Related Words

adduce, cite, mention, quote; name, specify; analyze, break down; clarify, clear (up), explain, explicate, expound; edify, elucidate, enlighten; illuminate; construe, interpret; simplify, spell out; detail, enumerate, list

Near Antonyms

becloud, blur, cloud, darken, fog, muddy, obscure; confuse, perplex, puzzle

ILLUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

illustrate

verb

Definition of illustrate for English Language Learners

: to give examples in order to make (something) easier to understand
: to be proof or evidence of (something)
: to explain or decorate a story, book, etc., with pictures

ILLUSTRATE Defined for Kids

illustrate

verb il·lus·trate \ ˈi-lə-ˌstrāt \

Definition of illustrate for Students

illustrated; illustrating

1 :to supply with pictures or diagrams meant to explain or decorate

illustrate a book

2 :to make clear by using examples

She illustrated her point with stories.

3 :to serve as an example

The results illustrate the need for planning.

Learn More about illustrate

See words that rhyme with illustrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for illustrate Spanish Central: Translation of illustrate Nglish: Translation of illustrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of illustrate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up illustrate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

illustrate

Definition of illustrate

illustrator

From the M-W Editors

Examples of illustrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of illustrate from the Web

Origin and Etymology of illustrate

illustrate Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

ILLUSTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

illustrate

Definition of illustrate for English Language Learners

ILLUSTRATE Defined for Kids

illustrate

Definition of illustrate for Students

Learn More about illustrate

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066