illuminate
1 of 3verb
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 3adjective
il·lu·mi·nate i-ˈlü-mə-nət
1
archaic : brightened with light
2
archaic : intellectually or spiritually enlightened
illuminate
3 of 3noun
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb the part of the moon illuminated by the sun A university study has illuminated the problem.
Recent Examples on the Web
Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 The best Rachmaninoff performances illuminate the interconnectedness of his language. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Outdoor motion sensor lights also illuminate walkways, stairs, or entryways that pose a safety risk after dark. Kaz Weida, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 After two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages, the popular China Lights Wisconsin Festival will once again illuminate nights at Boerner Botanical Gardens this fall. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 Even so, another few moments of thought may illuminate why a significant portion of Americans may be recently confused as to the value of college. Derek Newton, Forbes, 25 July 2022 This Wednesday’s earnings report will illuminate the degree to which that growth might be at the expense of Facebook’s once-formidable ad revenue machine. Andy Meek, BGR, 25 July 2022 The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. Detroit Free Press, 15 July 2022 Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022 Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization. Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021 If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory. Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021 The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017 Throughout the film, interviews reveal the pervasive abuses committed against infants, children and teens as well as illuminate groups and people who are working to stop it. Kimber Myers, latimes.com, 28 Sep. 2017 See More
Verb
The iPhone’s pixels illuminate the Instagram post that gives you FOMO, the YouTube video that makes your uncle doubt the vaccine, the NFTs that sell for millions, and the tweet instructing you to log off forever. Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 8 Sep. 2022 The best Rachmaninoff performances illuminate the interconnectedness of his language. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Outdoor motion sensor lights also illuminate walkways, stairs, or entryways that pose a safety risk after dark. Kaz Weida, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 After two years of cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing shortages, the popular China Lights Wisconsin Festival will once again illuminate nights at Boerner Botanical Gardens this fall. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2022 Even so, another few moments of thought may illuminate why a significant portion of Americans may be recently confused as to the value of college. Derek Newton, Forbes, 25 July 2022 This Wednesday’s earnings report will illuminate the degree to which that growth might be at the expense of Facebook’s once-formidable ad revenue machine. Andy Meek, BGR, 25 July 2022 The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. USA TODAY, 19 July 2022 The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light may not illuminate as intended, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. Detroit Free Press, 15 July 2022 Adjective
Flashlights, lamps, and cellphones illuminate bodies but obscure faces. Danielle Momoh, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2022 Cole’s remarkable and unforgettable novel and its flâneur protagonist, Julius, a Nigerian immigrant, illuminate aspects of New York rarely before depicted in fiction. New York Times, 30 June 2022 Tender interactions like these illuminate Chloe’s emotional state, giving viewers more to latch on to than her longing stares and anxious lip biting. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022 Animated characters sing along as trees and snowflakes illuminate to the beat. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, 17 Dec. 2021 The details of the dispute illuminate major hurdles that countries around the globe will face in eliminating coal from their energy mix—and the need to develop local solutions to set an ambitious and actionable path toward decarbonization. Baker Institute, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021 If sentiments seem easily derived in a few stories, in the best ones, mysteries like Theodosia's illuminate larger truths about love, loyalty and the persistence of memory. Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021 The problem is that, while the careful study of history can provide policymakers with powerful insights, incongruous comparisons can just as easily obscure as illuminate contemporary challenges. Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017 Throughout the film, interviews reveal the pervasive abuses committed against infants, children and teens as well as illuminate groups and people who are working to stop it. Kimber Myers, latimes.com, 28 Sep. 2017 See More 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
1600, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
illuminate
verb
il·lu·mi·nate i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt
illuminated; illuminating
1
: to supply with light : light up
He clutched Rose as a dazzling blast illuminated the lobby… Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck
Brian Selznick, Wonderstruck2
: to make clear : explain His speech illuminated the subject.
illuminated 1 of 2
adjective
as in illumined
filled with much light an intensely illuminated room is usually needed for producing live television shows Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- illumined
- lit
- light
- lighted
- bright
- brightened
- alight
- ablaze
- highlighted
- lightsome
- shiny
- floodlit
- ignited
- spotlighted
- spotlit
- kindled
- sunny
- sunlit
- floodlighted
- moonlit
- sunshiny
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darkened
- dark
- dimmed
- blackened
- unlit
- dusk
- lightless
- dusky
- darkling
- darkish
- obscured
- gloomy
- tenebrous
- sombre
- somber
- shadowy
- cloudy
- gray
- pitch-black
- grey
- pitch-dark
- pale
- murky
- leaden
- sunless
- lightproof
- shadowlike
illuminated
2 of 2verb
1
as in lit
to supply with light a floor lamp illuminates a living room rather nicely Synonyms & Similar Words
- illumined
- lit
- lighted
- brightened
- irradiated
- lightened
- bathed
- beaconed
- illumed
- shined
- glowed
- highlighted
- shone
- emblazed
- glistened
- gleamed
- beamed
- haloed
- radiated
- floodlit
- ignited
- dazzled
- spotlighted
- glittered
- spotlit
- blinded
- kindled
- blazed
- enhaloed
- incinerated
- bedazzled
- floodlighted
- glared
- burnt
- burned
- dazed
- flamed
- beat (down)
- fired
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darkened
- dimmed
- obscured
- blackened
- covered
- obfuscated
- veiled
- dulled
- shrouded
- extinguished
- quenched
- doused
- snuffed (out)
- put out
- dowsed
2
as in illustrated
to make plain or understandable the museum's exhibit on the refraction of light really illuminated the subject for us Synonyms & Similar Words
- illustrated
- explained
- demonstrated
- clarified
- interpreted
- simplified
- elucidated
- expounded
- explicated
- construed
- demystified
- unriddled
- analyzed
- got across
- spelled out
- defined
- resolved
- deciphered
- specified
- decoded
- solved
- cleared (up)
- unraveled
- annotated
- disentangled
- glossed
- untangled
- unscrambled
- broke down
- undid
- commentated
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscured
- clouded
- confused
- confounded
- obfuscated
- befogged
3
as in visualized
to supplement with pictorial matter for the purpose of explanation or decoration no one knows for sure the identity of the artist who illuminated that medieval manuscript so beautifully Synonyms & Similar Words
- illustrated
- visualized
- pictorialized
- imaged
- pictured
4
as in highlighted
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on the results of the statewide testing illuminated the need to place more focus on instruction in math and science Synonyms & Similar Words
- highlighted
- emphasized
- featured
- stressed
- punctuated
- accented
- accentuated
- identified
- foregrounded
- played up
- focused
- pressed
- spotlighted
- spotlit
- promoted
- pinpointed
- advertised
- focussed
- bore down on
- publicized
- made much of
- pointed (up)
- plugged
- boosted
- overplayed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- understated
- minimized
- de-emphasized
- discounted
- underemphasized
- played down
- disparaged
- toned (down)
- belittled
5
as in inspired
to provide (someone) with moral or spiritual understanding how man is illuminated by a higher spirit Synonyms & Similar Words
- inspired
- educated
- illumined
- enriched
- transformed
- enlightened
- nurtured
- uplifted
- illumed
- improved
- edified
- elevated
- ennobled
- lifted
- transfigured
- ensouled
- exalted
- regenerated
- renewed
- bettered
- glorified
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- puzzled
- confused
- obscured
- darkened
- perplexed
- clouded
- beclouded