illuminate

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To shine light on something.
2. (transitive) To decorate something with lights.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To clarify or make something understandable.
4. (transitive) To decorate the page of a manuscript book with ornamental designs.
5. (figuratively, transitive) To make spectacular.
6. (intransitive) To glow; to light up.
7. (intransitive) To be exposed to light.
8. (transitive) To direct a radar beam toward.

Adj

1. (obsolete) Enlightened, illuminated, made bright.
2. (figuratively) Enlightened spiritually, divinely taught or inspired; in technical use, converted, baptized.
3. (archaic) Learned, erudite.

Noun

Someone thought to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.

Synonyms

light up

light

shine

illumine

enlighten

brighten

lighten

clarify

explain

shine on

irradiate

illume

elucidate

radiate

shed light on

give light

illustrate

make bright

decorate

give light to

shine upon

emit

embellish

ornament

paint

emblaze

emblazon

sort out

straighten out

clear

crystalise

clear up

make clear

expound

color

crystalize

be bright with light

crystallise

crystallize

cause to shine

render beautiful

beacon

blazon

burn

candle

🕯️

define

enkindle

exemplify

expose

festoon

Translations

illuminare

illuminer

beleuchten

iluminar

alumbrar

iluminar

verlichten

anstrahlen

illumineren

erleuchten

illuminieren

belichten

éclairer

φωτίζω

rischiarare

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪˈl(j)umɪneɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: illuminaten

Cognate with Old English: lȳman

In summary

From Middle English illuminaten, borrowed from Latin illūminātus, perfect passive participle of illūminō (“lighten, light up, show off”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more), from in + lūminō (“light up”), from lūmen (“light”). Cognate with Old English lȳman (“to glow, shine”). More at leam.