illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive i-ˈlə-strə-tiv 

also

ˈi-lə-ˌstrā- 

: serving, tending, or designed to illustrate

illustrative examples

art that is illustrative of provincial life

illustratively adverb

Synonyms

• interpretive
• interpretative
• explanative
• illuminative
• analytical
• explanatory

Examples of illustrative in a Sentence

an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock

Recent Examples on the Web

An illustrative example of this approach is the joint initiative of the UN and Remesh, implemented in 2021, with an AI powered platform. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Poems by 96 area poets are paired with illustrative drawings by 40 visual artists in this exhibition, representing a community view on social justice issues. —Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 10 June 2025

That support was life-changing (note: names are illustrative and used to represent the real work happening in our schools). —Shellye Davis, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2025

This illustrative image from June 12 shows activists rallying outside Egypt's Journalists Syndicate in Cairo. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive il-ˈəs-trət-iv 

: serving or meant to illustrate

illustrative examples