illuminate
ih-LOO-mih-nayt
Illuminate (verb) means to light up or shine light onto something. Example: “Fairy lights illuminated the garden for the party.”
verb
1
To light up or shine light onto something.
"Fairy lights illuminated the garden for the party."
"The full moon illuminated the path ahead of them."
2
To make something clearer or easier to understand.
"Her comment illuminated exactly why the project had stalled."
How to use illuminate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shine light on something physically, or to make an idea clearer.
Common pairings
illuminate the room
illuminate the subject
brightly illuminated
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Word forms
- Plural
- illuminates
- Third person singular
- illuminates
- Past tense
- illuminated
- Comparative
- more illuminate
- Superlative
- most illuminate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fairy lights _____ the garden for the party.
Etymology
From Latin illuminare, "to light up" — in- ("in") + lumen ("light").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for illuminate
See all rhymes for illuminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “illuminate” mean?
The word “illuminate” means to light up or shine light onto something. In plain terms, to shine light on something physically, or to make an idea clearer.
How do you pronounce “illuminate”?
“Illuminate” is pronounced ih-LOO-mih-nayt (/ɪˈl(j)umɪneɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “illuminate” in a sentence?
Here is “illuminate” used in a sentence: “Fairy lights illuminated the garden for the party.”
What is another word for “illuminate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “illuminate” include enlighten, illumine, quill, shine, alight and beshine.
What is the opposite of “illuminate”?
The opposite of “illuminate” — its antonyms — is endarken.
What part of speech is “illuminate”?
“Illuminate” is a verb.
Where does the word “illuminate” come from?
The word “illuminate” comes from Latin. From Latin illuminare, "to light up" — in- ("in") + lumen ("light").
Is “illuminate” a common word?
“Illuminate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
