Illuminate
English Meaning
To make light; to throw light on; to supply with light, literally or figuratively; to brighten.
- To provide or brighten with light.
- To decorate or hang with lights.
- To make understandable; clarify: "Cleverly made attacks can . . . serve to illuminate important differences between candidates” ( New Republic).
- To enlighten intellectually or spiritually; enable to understand.
- To endow with fame or splendor; celebrate.
- To adorn (a page of a book, for example) with ornamental designs, miniatures, or lettering in brilliant colors or precious metals.
- To expose to or reveal by radiation.
- To become lighted; glow.
- To provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment and understanding: "Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate, you're on a slippery slope” ( Bill Moyers).
- To be exposed to or revealed by radiation.
- One who has or professes to have an unusual degree of enlightenment.