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 of illustrative

• interpretive
• interpretative
• explanative
• illuminative
• 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

The relationship between the two is certainly not illustrative. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026

The ongoing debate about whether the measure would include data centers, Owen said, is illustrative of a broader issue with its language. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Our own experience is illustrative here as our travel subscription program has grown by millions of members; subscription changes the economics of the whole business. — Dana Dunne, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

These examples are illustrative of the fact that athletes already take their fertility and menstrual cycles into consideration, Carson says. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

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