noun
Uncommon
enlightenment
ihn-LEYE-tuhn-muhnt
Enlightenment (noun) means the state of having clear understanding, insight, or wisdom. Example: “He described a moment of sudden enlightenment while meditating.”
noun
1
The state of having clear understanding, insight, or wisdom.
"He described a moment of sudden enlightenment while meditating."
"Many people travel to the mountains in search of peace and enlightenment."
"Reading that book brought her a sense of enlightenment about her own habits."
name
1
The Enlightenment: an 17th-and-18th-century European intellectual movement that championed reason and science over tradition and superstition.
"Philosophers of the Enlightenment challenged the authority of the church and monarchy."
How to use enlightenment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA state of deep understanding or wisdom — or, capitalized, the historical era of reason-driven European thought.
Common pairings
seek enlightenment
the Age of Enlightenment
spiritual enlightenment
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like enlightenment.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- enlightenments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He described a moment of sudden _____ while meditating.
Etymology
From enlighten + -ment.
Synonyms
View more →
awakening
illumination
realization
epiphany
peace that passeth understanding
bodhi
nirvana
satori
zen
Antonyms
unenlightenment
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “enlightenment” mean?
The word “enlightenment” means the state of having clear understanding, insight, or wisdom. In plain terms, a state of deep understanding or wisdom — or, capitalized, the historical era of reason-driven European thought.
How do you pronounce “enlightenment”?
“Enlightenment” is pronounced ihn-LEYE-tuhn-muhnt (/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “enlightenment” in a sentence?
Here is “enlightenment” used in a sentence: “He described a moment of sudden enlightenment while meditating.”
What is another word for “enlightenment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enlightenment” include epiphany, peace that passeth understanding, bodhi, nirvana, satori and zen.
What part of speech is “enlightenment”?
Depending on how it is used, “enlightenment” can be a noun and a name.
Is “enlightenment” a common word?
“Enlightenment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “enlightenment” have?
“Enlightenment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of having clear understanding, insight, or wisdom.
What is the difference between enlightenment and knowledge?
Knowledge simply refers to information or facts a person has learned. Enlightenment goes further, describing a deeper state of clear understanding, insight, or wisdom, often implying a shift in perspective rather than just an accumulation of facts.
What is the difference between enlightenment (lowercase) and the Enlightenment (capitalized)?
Lowercase enlightenment refers to a personal state of clear understanding or insight. Capitalized, the Enlightenment refers to a specific 17th-and-18th-century European intellectual movement that championed reason and science over tradition and superstition, a historical period rather than a personal state of mind.
Is enlightenment associated with a particular religious or philosophical tradition?
The general sense of enlightenment as insight or wisdom is used across many traditions and in secular contexts alike, describing any moment of clear understanding, rather than being tied to one single belief system.
