illuminate
word
Definition
To light something up or make it brighter. It can also mean to explain something clearly or make an idea easier to understand.
Usage & Nuances
Usually formal or literary. Common with literal meaning ('illuminate the room') and figurative ('illuminate a subject'). Not used in casual speech for 'light up'—use 'light' or 'brighten' instead. Often used in academic or descriptive writing.
Spanish: iluminar - aclarar (explicar)Portuguese (BR): iluminar - elucidar (explicar)Portuguese (PT): iluminar - elucidar (explicar)Chinese (Simplified): 照亮 - 启发（解释）Chinese (Traditional): 照亮 - 啟發（解釋）Hindi: प्रकाश डालना - स्पष्ट करना (व्याख्या)Arabic: يضيء - يوضح (يشرح)Bengali: আলোকিত করা - স্পষ্ট করাRussian: освещать - прояснятьJapanese: 照らす - 明らかにするVietnamese: chiếu sáng - làm sáng tỏKorean: 비추다 - 밝히다Turkish: aydınlatmak - açıklamakUrdu: روشن کرنا - واضح کرناIndonesian: menerangi - menjelaskan
Example Sentences
The teacher illuminated the topic with clear examples.
basic
Streetlights illuminate the road at night.
basic
The report helped illuminate the causes of the problem.
natural
Candles illuminate the room during a power cut.
basic
Her explanation really illuminated things for me.
natural
Let's use a flashlight to illuminate our way.
natural