enlightening

adjective

en·​light·​en·​ing in-ˈlīt-niŋ 

-ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ,

en-

: providing or tending to provide knowledge, understanding, or insight

a very enlightening discussion

… he takes readers on enlightening excursions through the nature of Judaism, Hegelian philosophy, wherever his curiosity heads.

—George Johnson

enlighteningly adverb

Synonyms

• educational
• educative
• illuminating
• informational
• informative
• informatory
• instructional
• instructive

Examples of enlightening in a Sentence

an enlightening pamphlet about the major changes that consumers can expect from their cable and Internet service providers

Recent Examples on the Web

Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Lively’s false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025

Conversations with friends can be enlightening and nourishing. —USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

An enlightening new study revealed just how prevalent the toxic class of PFAS compounds are in smartwatch wristbands. —Bethany Mavis, Outside Online, 16 Feb. 2025

And drawing the maps together is itself always enlightening, enabling team members to see the whole system and incorporate perspectives beyond their own. —Mark Nevins, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined above