Illustrated

ˈɪləstreɪtɪd

verbmedium📊CommonLiterature
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To provide (a book, newspaper, etc.) with pictures, diagrams, or other drawings; to explain or clarify something by providing examples or using visual aids.

ˈɪləstreɪt

verbneutralmedium
Literature

To explain or clarify with examples, drawings, or other visual aids.

The teacher will illustrate the concepts of fractions using pizza slices.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're explaining a really complicated idea to a friend. 'Illustrate' means you use pictures, stories, or examples to make it super clear, like when you draw a diagram to explain how a car engine works, or show pictures when you tell a story. You're lighting the way to understanding!

👶 For kids: To show something with pictures or drawings, like drawing a picture to show what you are talking about.

More Examples

2

Can you illustrate your point with some specific examples?

3

The textbook illustrates the different types of plants with detailed drawings.

How It's Used

Education

"The teacher used diagrams to illustrate the concept of photosynthesis."

Publishing

"The book is illustrated with beautiful watercolors."

2

Provided with pictures or other images.

ˈɪləstreɪtɪd

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Literature

She enjoyed the illustrated children's books.

💡 Simply: Think of a book with lots of pictures! 'Illustrated' simply means the book or text has drawings or visual aids to help you understand the story or information better. Like your favorite comic book!

👶 For kids: Having pictures in it.

More Examples

2

The illustrated magazine had vibrant photos and drawings.

3

The museum exhibited an illustrated scroll from the ancient period.

How It's Used

Publishing

"We prefer to publish illustrated books, especially for children."

Art

"The illustrated manuscript was a stunning example of medieval artistry."

Tip:Think of something that has been lit up or made clear with pictures.

Idioms & expressions

illustrated by

Explained or demonstrated using the specified means.

"His point was illustrated by a series of graphs."

From Latin *illustratum*, past participle of *illustrare* meaning 'to light up, enlighten, explain,' from *in-* 'in, on' + *lustrare* 'to purify, brighten.'

The word 'illustrate' and its forms have been used for centuries to describe the act of adding clarity, especially through visual means. Early usage often related to illuminating religious texts.

Memory tip

Think of adding LIGHT (illumination) to a topic or image to clarify it.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to light up, illuminate, explain"

illustrated bookillustrated exampleillustrated manuscriptwell-illustratedclearly illustrated

Common misspellings

illustrtedillistratedilustrated

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written