illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive i-ˈlə-strə-tiv 

also

ˈi-lə-ˌstrā- 

: serving, tending, or designed to illustrate

illustrative examples

art that is illustrative of provincial life

illustratively adverb

Synonyms

• elucidative
• exegetical
• exegetic
• explanative
• explanatory
• explicative
• explicatory
• expositive
• expository
• illuminative
• interpretative
• interpretive

Examples of illustrative in a Sentence

an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock

Recent Examples on the Web

The most illustrative case might be Edgar Renteria, who was a 32-year-old shortstop coming off a steeply declining 2008 season when Sabean gave him a two-year, $18.5 million contract that industry observers met with instant derision. —Andrew Baggarly, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024

This is a major game changer, and a very illustrative type of chain of thought reasoning. —John Werner, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Outside’s reporting on the Yaak Valley offers another illustrative example of these dynamics. —Ryleigh Nucilli, Outside Online, 14 Nov. 2024

Strong candidates in each sub-sector are included here in an illustrative list: • Natural gas: Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), American Gas Association (AGA). —Brian Walker, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive il-ˈəs-trət-iv 

: serving or meant to illustrate

illustrative examples