illustrate
IHL-yuu-strayt
Illustrate (verb) means to explain or clarify something by using an example or comparison. Example: “She used a simple diagram to illustrate how the process worked.”
verb
1
To explain or clarify something by using an example or comparison.
"She used a simple diagram to illustrate how the process worked."
"The case study illustrates the risks of overexpansion."
"Let me illustrate the point with a story from my own school days."
2
To add pictures or diagrams to a text.
"A local artist was hired to illustrate the children's book."
"She was asked to illustrate a cookbook with watercolour paintings of each dish."
"He likes to illustrate his own short stories with quick pencil sketches."
How to use illustrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something clear with an example, or to add drawings/pictures to a piece of writing.
Common pairings
illustrate a point
illustrate a book
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- illustrates
- Past tense
- illustrated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She used a simple diagram to _____ how the process worked.
Etymology
A back-formation from illustration, ultimately from Latin illustrare, "to light up, make clear."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for illustrate
See all rhymes for illustrate →Frequently asked questions
What does “illustrate” mean?
The word “illustrate” means to explain or clarify something by using an example or comparison. In plain terms, to make something clear with an example, or to add drawings/pictures to a piece of writing.
How do you pronounce “illustrate”?
“Illustrate” is pronounced IHL-yuu-strayt (/ˈɪl.əˌstɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “illustrate” in a sentence?
Here is “illustrate” used in a sentence: “She used a simple diagram to illustrate how the process worked.”
What part of speech is “illustrate”?
“Illustrate” is a verb.
Where does the word “illustrate” come from?
The word “illustrate” comes from Latin. A back-formation from illustration, ultimately from Latin illustrare, "to light up, make clear.".
Is “illustrate” a common word?
“Illustrate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “illustrate” have?
“Illustrate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to explain or clarify something by using an example or comparison.
What is the difference between illustrate and demonstrate?
Illustrate typically means to explain or clarify an idea using an example, comparison, or image, making an abstract point easier to grasp. Demonstrate means to show something is true through proof, action, or evidence, which is often more formal and evidence-based than simply giving an illustrative example.
Can illustrate mean adding pictures to a book?
Yes, illustrate can specifically mean to add pictures, diagrams, or drawings to a text, as when an artist illustrates a children's book. This is distinct from its other sense of explaining an idea through examples.
What comes after illustrate in a sentence, an example or a point?
Illustrate is usually followed by the thing being explained, as in 'illustrate a point' or 'illustrate how something works,' with the example itself introduced afterward using words like 'with' or 'by.' For instance, one might say a chart illustrates a trend by showing the data over time.
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