illuminate

1 of 3

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt 

illuminated; illuminating

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to supply or brighten with light

(2)

: to make luminous or shining

b

: to enlighten spiritually or intellectually

c

: to subject to radiation

d

archaic : to set alight

2

a

: to make clear : elucidate

b

: to bring to the fore : highlight

a crisis can illuminate how interdependent we all are

3

: to make illustrious or resplendent

4

: to decorate (something, such as a manuscript) with gold or silver or brilliant colors or with often elaborate designs or miniature pictures

illuminator

i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnā-tər 

noun

illuminate

2 of 3

adjective

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət 

1

archaic : brightened with light

2

archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened

illuminate

3 of 3

noun

il·​lu·​mi·​nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət 

archaic

: one having or claiming unusual enlightenment

Synonyms

Verb

• bathe
• beacon
• emblaze
• illume
• illumine
• irradiate
• light
• lighten

Examples of illuminate in a Sentence

Verb

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun

A university study has illuminated the problem.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Traditional Saudi elements such as mosaics were reinvented as ceiling coverings, while fiber optics were embedded into the plaster walls to illuminate at night. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024

With the sun harmonizing with Saturn retrograde, this astrological synergy can be equally empowering and illuminating. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The pillars are illuminate, educate, engage, energize, and future. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 Feb. 2024

The other four pillars are designated illuminate, educate, engage, and energize. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 May 2023

Noun

Subscribe to Axios Communicators for more stories like this Colin Demarest Jul 10, 2024 - World Inside the next era of warfare: How tech is reshaping the battlefield Conflicts abroad and defense-contract competitions at home illuminate in real time the future of America's war machine. —Colin Demarest, Axios, 11 July 2024

Watch:Doordash driver's dashcam video shows meteor illuminate night sky in Florida Artemis astronauts will need a vehicle on the moon. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare, from in- + luminare to light up, from lumin-, lumen light — more at luminary

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1602, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illuminate

verb

il·​lu·​mi·​nate

il-ˈü-mə-ˌnāt

illuminated; illuminating

1

: to supply with light : light up

illuminate a room

the part of the moon illuminated by the sun

2

: to make clear : explain

illuminated the point with good examples

3

: to decorate with designs or pictures in gold or colors

illuminate a manuscript

illuminative

-ˌnāt-iv

adjective

illuminator

-ˌnāt-ər

noun