Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
enlightened - 2 dictionary results

en⋅light⋅en

  [en-lahyt-n]
Use enlightened in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to: We hope the results of our research will enlighten our colleagues.
2. Archaic. to shed light upon.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME enli(g)htenen. See en- 1 , lighten 1

Related forms:
en⋅light⋅ened⋅ly, adverb
en⋅light⋅ened⋅ness, noun
en⋅light⋅en⋅er, noun
en⋅light⋅en⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. illumine, edify, teach, inform.

Antonyms:
1. mystify, confuse, perplex, puzzle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To enlightened
en·light·en   (ěn-līt'n)   
tr.v.   en·light·ened, en·light·en·ing, en·light·ens
  1. To give spiritual or intellectual insight to: "Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppression of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day" (Thomas Jefferson).
  2. To give information to; inform or instruct.
en·light'en·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see enlightened on Thesaurus | Reference