Definitions for illustrate
ˈɪl əˌstreɪt, ɪˈlʌs treɪtil·lus·trate

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:2.8 / 4 votes

1. exemplify, illustrate, instanceverb

   clarify by giving an example of

2. illustrateverb

   depict with an illustration

3. illustrateverb

   supply with illustrations

   "illustrate a book with drawings"

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. illustrateverb

   To shed light upon; to illuminate.

2. illustrateverb

   To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.

3. illustrateverb

   To provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. To ILLUSTRATEverb

   Etymology: illustro, Latin; illustrer, Fr.

   1. To brighten with light.2. To brighten with honour.

   Matter to me of glory! whom their hate
   Illustrates, when they see all regal pow'r
   Giv'n me to quell their pride. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

   Thee she enroll'd her garter'd knights among,
   Illustrating the noble list. Phillips.

   3. To explain; to clear; to elucidate.

   They take up popular conceits, and from tradition unjustifiable, or really false, illustrate matters of undeniable truth. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. illustrate

   An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in print and digital published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video games and films. An illustration is typically created by an illustrator. Digital illustrations are often used to make websites and apps more user-friendly, such as the use of emojis to accompany digital type. llustration also means providing an example; either in writing or in picture form. The origin of the word "illustration" is late Middle English (in the sense ‘illumination; spiritual or intellectual enlightenment’): via Old French from Latin illustratio(n-), from the verb illustrare.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. illustrate

   To illustrate is to clarify or explain something by providing a useful example, visual aid, or metaphor. It involves making an idea or concept more clear or understandable, often through the use of drawings, diagrams, charts, images, or anecdotes.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:4.5 / 2 votes

1. Illustrateverb

   to make clear, bright, or luminous

2. Illustrateverb

   to set in a clear light; to exhibit distinctly or conspicuously

3. Illustrateverb

   to make clear, intelligible, or apprehensible; to elucidate, explain, or exemplify, as by means of figures, comparisons, and examples

4. Illustrateverb

   to adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance

5. Illustrateverb

   to give renown or honor to; to make illustrious; to glorify

6. Illustrateadjective

   illustrated; distinguished; illustrious

7. Etymology: [L. illustratus, p. p.]

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Illustrate

   il-lus′trāt, or il′us-trāt, v.t. to make distinguished: to make clear to the mind: to explain: to explain and adorn by pictures.—adj. (Shak.) renowned.—n. Illustrā′tion, act of making lustrous or clear: act of explaining: that which illustrates: a picture or diagram.—adjs. Illus′trative, Illus′tratory, having the quality of making clear or explaining.—adv. Illus′tratively.—n. Illus′trator.—adj. Illus′trious, morally bright, distinguished: noble: conspicuous: conferring honour.—adv. Illus′triously.—n. Illus′triousness. [L. illustrāre, -ātum, to light up—illustris, prob. in, in, lux, lucis, light.]

Matched Categories

1. • Art
   • Decorate
   • Elaborate
   • Picture

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'illustrate' in Verbs Frequency: #369

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce illustrate?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say illustrate in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of illustrate in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of illustrate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of illustrate in a Sentence

1. Chamber President Joerg Wuttke:

   These worrying trends illustrate how excessive tightening of Internet controls can choke business growth and stifle investment in technology and research and development, it is therefore hugely dispiriting to see numerous member companies actively scaling back investment and expansion, and diverting their spending to other markets.

2. Paul Martin:

   It is not cost effective, the goals are to win over the hearts and minds and illustrate a better perception of the U.S. This seems to be an unachievable task due to the indoctrination process of a radical Islamic jihadist.

3. Shilan Shah:

   These changes are fairly significant, particularly if you look at them in the context of what happened over the weekend with Governor Rajan's decision to step down, it might be the government's way to illustrate its commitment to reforms and mitigate any investor fallout.

4. Alexander Pryor:

   We found pieces of soft plant tissue typically found in edible roots or tubers, hinting at a plant food component in peoples' diet, these finds are important because they illustrate how our human ancestors adapted to survive the harsh environments of the last Ice Age by making use of the resources they found around them.

5. United States:

   At this moment when Taiwan is wondering whether it's going to be Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow... the presence of a senior and bipartisan ex-governmental delegation is here to illustrate that United States security commitment indeed is different and is higher to Taiwan than it is to Ukraine.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=illustrate
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Illustrate
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=illustrate
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illustrate
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illustrate
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=illustrate
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=illustrate