Question 1 · Quick check
enlighten
CEFRC1
/ɪnˈlaɪtən/
verb
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
verb
To give someone knowledge or a clearer understanding.
- 02
verb
Extra detailTo make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.
Examples
The ray of wisdom must enlighten new horizons.
Woe to those who presume that they are destined to ‘enlighten’ others, not themselves!
At a glance
Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 3
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 4
- Synonyms
- 5
Deep Dive
verb
Extra meaningTo supply with light.
More examples
In contextMaybe you could enlighten me.
Care to enlighten me, if you think I'm so benighted?
She tried to enlighten them about the rules of the program, but they remained belligerently and self-righteously ignorant.
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
verb
Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and lightnen (“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light + -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten (“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en.