illustrate
to furnish (a book, magazine, etc.) with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment.
to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies; exemplify.
Archaic. to enlighten.
to clarify one's words, writings, etc., with examples: To prevent misunderstandings, let me illustrate.
Origin of illustrate
1Other words from illustrate
- il·lus·trat·a·ble, adjective
- o·ver·il·lus·trate, verb (used with object), o·ver·il·lus·trat·ed, o·ver·il·lus·trat·ing.
- pre·il·lus·trate, verb (used with object), pre·il·lus·trat·ed, pre·il·lus·trat·ing.
- re·il·lus·trate, verb (used with object), re·il·lus·trat·ed, re·il·lus·trat·ing.
- su·per·il·lus·trate, verb (used with object), su·per·il·lus·trat·ed, su·per·il·lus·trat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for illustrate
/ (ˈɪləˌstreɪt) /
to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
(tr) to be an example or demonstration of
(tr) to explain or decorate (a book, text, etc) with pictures
(tr) an archaic word for enlighten
Origin of illustrate
1Derived forms of illustrate
- illustratable, adjective
- illustrative, adjective
- illustratively, adverb
- illustrator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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