noun Uncommon

illumination

ih-loo-mih-NAY-shuhn

Illumination (noun) means light, or the act of providing light. Example: “The stage lighting provided dramatic illumination during the final scene.”

noun

Light, or the act of providing light.

"The stage lighting provided dramatic illumination during the final scene."

Ornamental decoration added to a manuscript or book.

"The gold-leaf illumination on the page had survived remarkably well."

A moment of insight or understanding.

"Her explanation brought sudden illumination to a topic he'd struggled with for years."

How to Use Illumination

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLight itself, or figuratively, a flash of understanding.

Common pairings

festive illumination moment of illumination

Word Forms

illuminations plural

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The stage lighting provided dramatic _____ during the final scene.

Etymology

From Latin illuminatio, from illuminare, "to light up."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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lumination

Rhymes for illumination

ion lion Zion Dion Sion union scion Orion Onion action minion bunion

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “illumination” mean?

The word “illumination” means light, or the act of providing light. In plain terms, light itself, or figuratively, a flash of understanding.

How do you pronounce “illumination”?

“Illumination” is pronounced ih-loo-mih-NAY-shuhn (/ɪˌlumɪˈneɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “illumination” in a sentence?

Here is “illumination” used in a sentence: “The stage lighting provided dramatic illumination during the final scene.”

What is another word for “illumination”?

Words with a similar meaning to “illumination” include lumination.

What part of speech is “illumination”?

“Illumination” is a noun.

Where does the word “illumination” come from?

The word “illumination” comes from Latin. From Latin illuminatio, from illuminare, "to light up.".

Is “illumination” a common word?

“Illumination” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “illumination” have?

“Illumination” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: light, or the act of providing light.