Library / English Dictionary

ILLUSTRATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Clarify by giving an example of

Synonyms:

exemplify; illustrate; instance

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "illustrate" is one way to...):

dilate; elaborate; enlarge; expand; expatiate; exposit; expound; flesh out; lucubrate (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

illustration (an item of information that is typical of a class or group)

illustration (showing by example)

illustrative (clarifying by use of examples)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Supply with illustrations

Example:

illustrate a book with drawings

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "illustrate" is one way to...):

adorn; beautify; decorate; embellish; grace; ornament (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

illustration (a visual representation (a picture or diagram) that is used make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand)

illustration (artwork that helps make something clear or attractive)

illustrator (an artist who makes illustrations (for books or magazines or advertisements etc.))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Depict with an illustration

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "illustrate" is one way to...):

depict; picture; render; show (show in, or as in, a picture)

Domain category:

art; artistic creation; artistic production (the creation of beautiful or significant things)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

illustration (a visual representation (a picture or diagram) that is used make some subject more pleasing or easier to understand)

illustration (artwork that helps make something clear or attractive)

illustrative (serving to demonstrate)

Credits

 Context examples: 

A new Moon occurs when all of the Sun’s light is reflected away from Earth, and the side of the Moon facing Earth is barely visible, as illustrated in the above figures.

(Earthshine, NASA)

In the first experiment, researchers illustrated how soil nitrogen mineralization can be predicted with a three-day analysis of soil-test biological activity (STBA).

(New Test Can Determine Nitrogen Levels in Soil, U.S. Department of Agriculture)

No case, however, in which Holmes was engaged has ever illustrated the value of his analytical methods so clearly or has impressed those who were associated with him so deeply.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I asked him to explain more fully, so that I might not by any chance mislead him, so he said:— I shall illustrate.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

With due discretion the incident itself may, however, be described, since it serves to illustrate some of those qualities for which my friend was remarkable.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Two weeks later he was overjoyed to see, in the latest number on the news-stand, his story printed in full, illustrated, and in the place of honor.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"These bits of lace are fastened under the chin with a rosebud, so," and Meg illustrated by putting on the bonnet and regarding him with an air of calm satisfaction that was irresistible.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

This diagram illustrates these three PKA-RII binding complexes.

(Centrosome Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The team made maps of where and when migration occurred over the past 24 years and animated these to illustrate, for example, "the most intensive migration areas in the continental United States," Sheldon explains.

(Using artificial intelligence to track birds' dark-of-night migrations, National Science Foundation)

A system used to quantitate and illustrate the current state of a person's dentition.

(Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index, NCI Thesaurus)