DictionaryAI

illustrate

verb
USIL-uh-strayt/ˈɪl.əˌstɹeɪt/IL-yuu-strayt/ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/AUSi-LAS-trayt/ɪˈlasˌtɹæɪt/

Formsillustrates, illustrating, illustrated

4 meanings of illustrate

Practice

  1. 1
    verbfigurativelytransitive
    To clarify something by giving an example or comparison, or by serving as one.

    A good teacher will illustrate an abstract concept with a familiar example.

    These figures illustrate the gap between rich and poor neighborhoods.

    Similardemonstrate, show, exemplify, explain, clarify

    Oppositeobscure

    Note

    A verb formed backward from its noun: illustration came first, and illustrate was made from it. The figurative use rests on the literal 'shed light' meaning, since an example throws light on an idea. Either a person or the case itself can be the subject: a teacher illustrates a point, and a lopsided scoreline illustrates the gulf between two teams. Milton, in Paradise Regain'd (1671), pairs it with prove.

  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To supply a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams, or similar features that explain or decorate the text.

    The artist was hired to illustrate a new edition of the old fairy tales.

    Medieval monks illustrated manuscripts with gold leaf and intricate borders.

    Similardecorate, illuminate, embellish, adorn

    Note

    Here the object is the publication, not the picture: you illustrate a book or an article, and you do not illustrate a drawing. The passive with "with" is the natural frame (a textbook illustrated with graphs). The added material need not be drawn by hand. Photographs count too, as when a photographer shoots prison buildings to illustrate an article.

  3. 3
    verbobsolete
    To cast light upon something; to illuminate it.

    Tall windows illustrate the great hall each morning with golden light.

    Here, when the morn illustrates all the sky.
    1614, Homer, Homer’s Odysses

    Similarilluminate, light, lighten, enlighten, illumine

    Note

    Literal light, now obsolete. George Chapman's Homer (1614–15) has the morning that "illustrates all the sky", meaning it lights the sky rather than explains it. A modern reader will take such a line as the explaining sense unless warned. Recognize this use when reading older texts, but write illuminate, its living synonym, when you mean light itself.

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    verbobsolete
    To give renown or honor to someone; to make them illustrious.
    Matter to me of glory, whom their hate / Illustrates.
    1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost

    Similarglorify

    Note

    Renown is what this obsolete use confers, and it is the verb behind illustrious. In Milton's Paradise Lost (1667) Christ is one "whom their hate / Illustrates": the enemies' hatred only makes him more glorious. Glorify is the modern word. Milton's "illustrate his high worth" in Paradise Regained (1671) sits on the border, where showing someone's worth and conferring it come close together.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of illustrate apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

A back-formation from "illustration."