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Illustrate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

To illustrate means to explain or clarify something by using examples, pictures, or diagrams. It helps make ideas clearer and easier to understand through visual or verbal representation.

illustrate

/ˈɪləˌstreɪt/ /ˈɪləstreɪt/

Definition:

To explain or clarify something by providing examples, pictures, or diagrams.

Synonyms:

demonstrate, explain, depict, clarify

Part of Speech:

verb

Antonyms:

obscure, confuse

Common Collocations:

illustrate a point, illustrate a book, illustrate with examples

Derivatives:

illustration, illustrative, illustrator

Usage Tips:

Use "illustrate" when showing examples or visuals to make something clearer.

Common Phrases:

illustrate the point, illustrate with examples, a picture illustrates a thousand words

Etymology:

From Latin "illustrare," meaning to light up or make clear.

Examples:

  • 1. The teacher used a diagram to illustrate the water cycle.
  • 2. This book is beautifully illustrated with colorful images.
  • 3. Can you illustrate your argument with real-life examples?
  • 4. The graph helps illustrate the company's growth over time.

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