illuminate

The definition of illuminate is to light something up or to explain something so that it is clear.

(verb)

  1. When you turn on a light, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a room.
  2. When you decorate your house for Christmas, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a house.
  3. When you give a simple explanation to help someone understand an issue, this is an example of a situation where the explanation illuminates the issue.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See illuminate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb illuminated, illuminating

    1. to give light to; light up
    2. to brighten; animate
    1. to make clear; explain; elucidate
    2. to inform; instruct; enlighten
  1. to make illustrious, glorious, or famous
  2. to decorate with lights
    1. to decorate (an initial letter or word) with designs, tracings, etc. of gold, silver, or bright colors
    2. to decorate (a manuscript, page border, etc.) with such initial letters, miniature pictures, etc.

Origin: < L illuminatus, pp. of illuminare, to light up < in-, in + luminare, to light < lumen (gen. luminis), a light < IE *leuksmen < base *leuk-: see illustrate

adjective

  1. make bright with light
  2. enlightened in mind or spirit

noun

Archaic a person who has or claims to have special knowledge

Related Forms:

See illuminate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates
verb, transitive
  1. To provide or brighten with light.
  2. To decorate or hang with lights.
  3. To make understandable; clarify: “Cleverly made attacks can . . . serve to illuminate important differences between candidates” (New Republic).
  4. To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
  5. To endow with fame or splendor; celebrate.
  6. To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, miniatures, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
  7. To expose to or reveal by radiation.
verb, intransitive
  1. To become lighted; glow.
  2. To provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment and understanding: “Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate, you're on a slippery slope” (Bill Moyers).
  3. To be exposed to or revealed by radiation.
noun (-nĭt)
One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English illuminaten

Origin: , from Latin illūmināre, illūmināt-

Origin: : in-, in; see in-2

Origin: + lūmināre, to light up (from lūmen, lūmin-, light; see leuk- in Indo-European roots)

.

Related Forms:

  • il·luˈmi·natˌing·ly adverb

Learn more about illuminate

illuminate

link/cite print suggestion box