ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Illustrate

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Illustrate is a verb meaning (figurative) To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

  1. To provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.
  2. (obsolete) To shed light upon.
  3. (obsolete) To give renown or honour to; to make illustrious.

Example Sentences

To prove him, and illustrate his high worth.
Here, when the morn illustrates all the sky.
Matter to me of glory, whom their hate / Illustrates.
The economics textbook was illustrated with many graphs.

Word Forms

Synonyms for illustrate

Depending on context, synonyms include illuminate, alight, belight, beshine, bright, enlighten.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include instance, exemplify, enlighten, illuminate, clarify, portray.

Commonly Confused & Compared Words

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Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

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