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View synonyms for

illuminate

[ verb ih-loo-muh-neyt; adjective noun ih-loo-muh-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

illuminated, illuminating.
  1. to supply or brighten with light; light up.
  2. to make lucid or clear; throw light on (a subject).

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. to decorate with lights, as in celebration.
  4. to enlighten, as with knowledge.
  5. to make resplendent or illustrious:

    A smile illuminated her face.

  6. to decorate (a manuscript, book, etc.) with colors and gold or silver, as was often done in the Middle Ages.


verb (used without object)

illuminated, illuminating.
  1. to display lights, as in celebration.
  2. to become illuminated.

adjective

  1. Archaic. illuminated.
  2. Obsolete. enlightened.

noun

  1. Archaic. a person who is or affects to be specially enlightened.

illuminate

verb

  1. tr to throw light in or into; light up

    to illuminate a room

  2. tr to make easily understood; clarify
  3. to adorn, decorate, or be decorated with lights
  4. tr to decorate (a letter, page, etc) by the application of colours, gold, or silver
  5. intr to become lighted up
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. archaic.
    made clear or bright with light; illuminated
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who has or claims to have special enlightenment
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܳˌԲٴǰ, noun
  • ˈܳԲپ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ·m·ԲiԲ· adverb
  • i·m·Բٱ verb (used with object)
  • i·m·Բٱ verb reilluminated reilluminating
  • i-·m·Բe adjective
  • ܲi·m·Բe adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin ūٳܲ, past participle of ū “to light up, brighten”; illumine ( def ), -ate 1( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of illuminate1

C16: from Latin ū to light up, from ū light
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

In an illuminating comparison, the Times’ box office report for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” called that film’s opening weekend numbers a “hit,” while Coogler’s was met with doubt.

From

Yamamoto shared was illuminating, expressing uncertainty about who he was as a big league pitcher and how to best deploy his arsenal against opposing lineups.

From

A single, white rose was pictured lying on the stone tomb that bears the name he was known by during his pontificate, below a crucifix illuminated by a single spotlight.

From

When she takes a second to examine herself in the reflection of a pot lid, she illuminates so many unappreciated mothers.

From

Belfast City Hall will also be illuminated in yellow and white on Saturday to coincide with the day of his funeral.

From

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