Illustrate

/ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/ · verb

Meaning

(figurative) To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison..

Definitions by Sense

1. (figurative) To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.
2. To provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.
3. (obsolete) To shed light upon.
4. (obsolete) To give renown or honour to; to make illustrious.

Example Sentences

We illustrate our definitions by including quotations or simple examples.

To prove him, and illustrate his high worth.

England were graphically illustrating the huge gulf in class between the sides and it was no surprise when Lampard added the second just before the half hour. Steven Gerrard found his Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson and Lampard arrived in the area with perfect timing to glide a header beyond Namasco.

The economics textbook was illustrated with many graphs.

Michael Thompson said he had been photographing prison buildings on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to illustrate an article by Tom Reeves […] when an unidentified plainclothes employee of the prison approached him.

Here, when the morn illustrates all the sky.

Matter to me of glory, whom their hate / Illustrates.

Synonyms for illustrate

Antonyms for illustrate

Related Words

Word Forms

• illustrates
• illustrating
• illustrated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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