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

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

This illustrative image shows a Ukrainian drone operator pilots an attack drone near the southern frontline on February 21, 2024. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025

Deere’s fresh numbers and commentary will be illustrative of the effects so far. —Kevin Stankiewicz,matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 11 May 2025

There’s comfort in recognition, and pleasure in anointing a new daddy (especially one with such a perfectly illustrative tattoo). —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 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