enlightening

enlighten (ɪnˈlaɪt^ən)

—vb
1.	to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
2.	to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
3.	to give spiritual or religious revelation to
4.	poetic to shed light on

en'lightener

—n

en'lightening

—*adj*

enlighten (ɪnˈlaɪt^ən)

—vb
1.	to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
2.	to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
3.	to give spiritual or religious revelation to
4.	poetic to shed light on

en'lightener

—n

en'lightening

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

enlighten

late 14c. (O.E. had inlihtan), "to remove the dimness or blindness (usually figurative) from one's eyes or heart," from en- + lighten. Related: Enlightened; enlightening.

Example sentences

Dedicated to providing community centers that are enlightening, educational,

and entertaining.

Focusing on plain language in my research and consulting work has been

enlightening.

However, those that succeed in making sense of some aspect of global culture

can be both enlightening and memorable.

Taken in small bits, it makes for enlightening reading.

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Related Words

enlightenment illuminating

instructive luminous

Matching Quote

"The man who knows governments most completely is he who troubles himself least about a definition which shall give their essence. Enjoying an intimate acquaintance with all their particularities in turn, he would naturally regard an abstract conception in which these were unified as a thing more misleading than enlightening."

-William James