What does "illustrate" mean?
Illustrate: To set in a clear light; to exhibit distinctly or conspicuously. Shak. To prove him, and illustrate his high worth. Milton.
Additional senses
- 2.To make clear, intelligible, or apprehensible; to elucidate, explain, or exemplify, as by means of figures, comparisons, and examples.
- 3.To adorn with pictures, as a book or a subject; to elucidate with pictures, as a history or a romance.
- 4.To give renown or honor to; to make illustrious; to glorify. [Obs.] Matter to me of glory, whom their hate Illustrates. Milton.
- 5.Illustrated; distinguished; illustrious. [Obs.] This most gallant, illustrate, and learned gentleman. Shak.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/answers/what-does-illustrate-mean
- Steward: Jason Burns
- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00