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illustration

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of illustration

1 something that visually explains or decorates a text
  • This book on birds has gorgeous illustrations.
Synonyms of illustration

diagram, figure, graphic, plate, visual
Words Related to illustration

art, artwork

drawing, illumination, image, pictogram, pictograph, picture

caption, key, legend

inset

depiction, pictorialization, portrait, portrayal, representation

clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition
2 a statement that makes something clear
  • She gave several illustrations until she was understood.
Synonyms of illustration

clarification, construction, elucidation, exegesis, explanation, explication, exposition, illumination, interpretation
Words Related to illustration

paraphrase, restatement, translation

annotation, comment, commentary, epexegesis, gloss

deciphering, decoding

disentanglement, unscrambling

analysis

edification, enlightenment

definition, meaning

demonstration, enactment

justification, rationale, rationalization, reasoning

caution, caveat, warning
3 a two-dimensional design intended to look like a person or thing
  • The doctor sketched an illustration to explain the procedure to the patient.
Synonyms of illustration

icon (also ikon), image, likeness, picture
Words Related to illustration

delineation, depiction, representation, resemblance, view

portrait

daub, drawing, finger painting

etching, silhouette, sketch, watercolor

caricature, cartoon, doodle

collage, montage, photograph

hieroglyph, hieroglyphic, ideogram, ideograph

pictograph

diagram
4 one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like
  • chose one essay as an illustration of the high quality of the collection
Synonyms of illustration

case, example, exemplar, instance, prototype, representative, sample, specimen
Words Related to illustration

archetype, classic, locus classicus, paradigm

cross section, microcosm

evidence, indication, manifestation, sign
Phrases Synonymous with illustration

case in point

Synonym Discussion of illustration

instance, case, illustration, example, sample, specimen mean something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category. instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.
    • an instance of history repeating itself
case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.
    • a case of mistaken identity
illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.
    • a telling illustration of Murphy's Law
example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.
    • a typical example of bureaucratic waste
sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.
    • show us a sample of your work
specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.
    • one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

Learn More about illustration

  1. See words that rhyme with illustration Dictionary: Definition of illustration Spanish Central: Translation of illustration Nglish: Translation of illustration for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of illustration for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about illustration

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