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

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. Oscar Wilde:

   At twilight, nature is not without loveliness, though perhaps its chief use is to illustrate quotations from the poets.

2. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz:

   The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media, this is not a cage match.

3. Confucius:

   What the great learning teaches, is to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence.

4. Jeremy Batstone-Carr:

   The Fed's statement earlier in the week helped to squeeze us higher. But the market doesn't have a high degree of conviction at the moment, the outlook remains one of sub-trend growth and low inflation. The downgrades in Italy illustrate that we're not out of the woods as far as growth is concerned.

5. De Palma:

   The genius of it was how they were able to take out their questions and then illustrate the film with all these pieces of other film, and to me its quite amazing.

Popularity rank by frequency of use