enlighten

enlighten Definition

en·lighten (en līt′'n, in-)

transitive verb

1. to give the light of fact and knowledge to; free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
2. Religion to give spiritual insight and understanding to
to make clear to (a person) the facts or nature of something; inform
Archaic to light up; illuminate

enlighten Related Forms

en·light′·ener noun

enlighten Synonyms

To provide information or understanding
inform, acquaint, edify, set straight; see notify 1, teach 1, tell 1.
To bring supposed spiritual truth
illumine, illuminate, reveal, inculcate, indoctrinate, edify, inspirit, uplift, give faith, preach, save, catechize, convert, persuade, show the light, lead to the light, bring out of the wilderness, raise up, open one's eyes.

enlighten Usage Examples

Object

listener: Presumably all of this is meant to enlighten the listener via the mystical voodoo telepathic power of the CD in a stereo.
reader: Only a wide reading of the secondary sources will enlighten a reader to the different ways in which the events can be seen.
eye: The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes.
mind: We will only have peace when we allow the detached and enlightened mind into world politics.
audience: Richard Denny one of the UK's foremost business speakers enlightened the audience on how to become a successful director.
everyone: The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

Subject

spirit: And is this not realized in the experience of all who are enlightened by the Spirit?
faith: Moral theology uses a method of reasoning enlightened by faith to develop moral arguments.

Modifying Another Word

spiritually: In his novel a comet hits the Earth and everyone becomes more spiritually enlightened.
truly: Now let us look at two historical figures who were truly enlightened.
once: Once enlightened you will no longer be forever seeking to change, deny, defend, or deify your experience of reality.
particularly: Tamara Jones Unfortunately, you appear to be dealing with building control officers that are not particularly enlightened with regard to conservation issues.
enough: My employers were enlightened enough to sponsor a Certificate course for guidance teachers.
fully: You are actually fully enlightened, fully awake, fully realized NOW.

Used with why or when

Infinitive complement

see: What was enlightening to see was the few materials Julian carried with him to work.
hear: It was especially enlightening to hear, from several speakers from agrochemical companies, how a new fungicidal chemical is discovered.
have: It was enlightening to have contact with others that really understood what the families had been through in order to achieve their pregnancies.

Preposition: in

way: This required an investigation into the music beyond the realm of intuition, the results of which proved to be enlightening in various ways.

Preposition: by

spirit: And is this not realized in the experience of all who are enlightened by the Spirit?

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