Illuminate meaning

ĭ-lo͝o'mə-nāt'
To provide or brighten with light.
verb
4
1
The definition of illuminate is to light something up or to explain something so that it is clear.

When you turn on a light, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a room.

When you decorate your house for Christmas, this is an example of a situation where you illuminate a house.

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.

verb
3
2
To brighten; animate.
verb
2
0
To make clear; explain; elucidate.
verb
2
0
To decorate (an initial letter or word) with designs, tracings, etc. of gold, silver, or bright colors.
verb
1
0
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To decorate (a manuscript, page border, etc.) with such initial letters, miniature pictures, etc.
verb
1
0
Made bright with light.
adjective
1
0
Enlightened in mind or spirit.
adjective
1
0
A person who has or claims to have special knowledge.
noun
1
0
To shine light on something.
verb
1
0
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To decorate something with lights.
verb
0
0
To clarify or make something understandable.
verb
0
0
(intransitive) To be exposed to light.
verb
0
0
To decorate or hang with lights.
verb
0
1
To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, images, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
verb
0
1
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To expose to or reveal by radiation.
verb
0
1
To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
verb
0
1
One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.
noun
0
1
To make illustrious, glorious, or famous.
verb
0
1
To decorate with lights.
verb
0
1
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To give light to; light up.
verb
0
1
To inform; instruct; enlighten.
verb
0
1
To decorate the page of a manuscript book with ornamental designs.
verb
0
1
(figuratively) To make spectacular.
verb
0
1
(intransitive) To glow.
verb
0
1
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Someone thought to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.
noun
0
1
(obsolete) Enlightened.

adjective
0
1
To make understandable; clarify.
verb
0
2

Origin of illuminate

From Middle English illuminaten, originally from Latin illūminātum, supine of illūminō (“lighten, light up, show off”), from in + lūminō (“light up”), from lūmen (“light”). Cognate with Old English lȳman (“to glow, shine”). More at leam.

Sentence Examples

  • She opened the single wardrobe, pushing the doors open enough for the room's light to illuminate the contents.

  • In such instruments an arrangement is often required to intensely illuminate the object.

  • From 1416 citizens were obliged to hang out candles between certain hours on dark nights to illuminate the streets.

  • Torch lights illuminate from a different level than the ground lighting.

  • Just like traditional deck light fixtures, solar lights can be used to illuminate your deck area with soft light, but instead of cords and electrical power sources, these lights are powered by the sun's energy.

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Words near illuminate in the Dictionary