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Intermediate Dictionary
       

il·lus·trate

illustrate

 
 
pronunciation:
I l streIt
features:
Word History, Word Builder, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: illustrates, illustrating, illustrated
definition 1: to explain or make clear by giving examples.
By using a prism, the teacher illustrated how rainbows are formed.
synonyms:
demonstrate
similar words:
clarify, exhibit, explain, illuminate, present, represent, show
definition 2: to draw pictures to go along with a book or other written material.
He illustrated the children's book with pictures of dinosaurs.
similar words:
depict, draw, illuminate, portray, represent, sketch
derivation: illustrated (adj.)
Word History
Illustrate comes from a Latin word that means "light up." The words "luster" and "lustrous" come from related Latin words.
Word Builder: illustrate +
  • illustrated:
    having pictures.
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  art, education
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