illumine
Synonym of illuminateSynonym of illuminate.: To shine light on (something).
» The ocean illumined blue under the sunshine.
Meaning
10 sensesSynonym of illuminate.
(also, figuratively, literary, transitive)To shine light on (something).
introduce light into
(also, figuratively, literary, transitive)To cause (something) to glow or shine with light.
(figuratively, literary, transitive)To enlighten (someone) spiritually; to induce (someone) to adopt, or believe in the truth of, a religion, religious tenet, etc.
(figuratively, literary, transitive)To cause (the eyes) to see.
(figuratively, literary, transitive)To cause (a person or their face) to show enlightenment, happiness, etc.
(figuratively, literary, rare, transitive)To enlighten (someone) intellectually.
(figuratively, literary, transitive)To decorate (a page of a manuscript book) with ornamental designs.
(intransitive)To become bright; to light up.
(figuratively, intransitive)To enlighten intellectually.
(figuratively, intransitive)Of a person or their face: to show enlightenment, happiness, etc.
Examples
43 sentencesThe ocean illumined blue under the sunshine.
The sea illumined blue under the sunshine.
The river illumined blue under the sunshine.
The city illumined in violet from the distance.
The river illumined dark blue under the moonlight.
Origin
From Middle English illuminen (“to light, light up; to shine; (figuratively) to enlightenFrom Middle English illuminen (“to light, light up; to shine; (figuratively) to enlighten spiritually; to make illustrious”) [and other forms], from Old French illuminer (“to light up, illuminate; (figuratively) to enlighten”) (modern French illuminer), from Latin illūmināre, the present active infinitive of illūminō (“to light up, illuminate; to brighten; to adorn; to make conspicuous”), from il- (variant of in- (prefix meaning ‘in, within’; intensifying prefix)) + lūminō (“to illuminate; to brighten; (figuratively) to reveal”) (from lūmen (“light; light source; (poetic) brightness; daylight”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“to shine; to see; bright”)) + -ō (suffix forming regular first-conjugation verbs)).
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Forms
illumines, illumining, illumined, illuminedSynonyms
4 synonyms- introduce light into:lightillumelight upilluminate
Word family
4 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle