enlighten

Meaning

1. (transitive) To supply with light.
2. (figuratively, transitive) To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.

Opposite of

endarken

Synonyms

illuminate

instruct

educate

inform

edify

shed light on

apprise

tell

acquaint

clear

report

illumine

light

notify

teach

elucidate

irradiate

advise

explain

clarify

brighten

clear up

crystallize

advance

disenchant

disillusion

awaken

expound

sort out

straighten out

convey

warn

crystalise

crystalize

crystallise

light up

sophisticate

spell out

train

🚋

undeceive

unfold

verify

zoom in

give light to

shine on

switch on the light

impart knowledge

have insight

translate

make shine

Translations

illuminare

éclairer

illuminer

chiarire

διαφωτίζω

informieren

iluminar

aufklären

informer

insegnare

informar

mitteilen

benachrichtigen

renseigner

informare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪnˈlaɪtən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: enlightenen

Inherited from Old English: inlīhtan

Cognate with Dutch: inlichten

Cognate with Old High German: inliuhten

Cognate with Gothic: 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽

In summary

Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and lightnen (“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light + -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten (“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en.