verb
illustrate
IL-uh-strayt/ˈɪləstreɪt/
To make an idea clearer by presenting a concrete representation.
The teacher illustrates the leaf's structure with a drawing beside the real leaf.
Etymology
The underlying image is lighting something up, extended figuratively to making it clear to the mind. Examples and pictures illustrate by providing that clarity; the verb also developed the sense of supplying decorative pictures.
In context
use a hula hoop here to illustrate the path the face determines the starting point of the golf ball
More examples
- This chart illustrates how our expenses change each month.
- She illustrated her point with a story about her first job.
- Let me illustrate the difference with two simple examples.
Forms
illustrate · illustrates · illustrated · illustrating
illustration noun — An example or image that provides clarity.
Similar words
- clarify
- Clarify emphasizes removing confusion, without necessarily providing concrete examples.
- demonstrate
- Demonstrate often shows how something works or proves a claim.
- exemplify
- Exemplify means to serve as a specific example of something.