Illustrate
/ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.
verbTo provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.
Sentence Examples
This diagram will illustrate what I mean.
I would like to illustrate children's books for a living.
CEFR Practice Quiz
To help students understand the concept, the teacher will ____ it with a clear diagram.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The teacher used some colorful diagrams to help ____ the complex process of photosynthesis.
Word Origin & History
Back-formation from illustration.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"To prove him, and illustrate his high worth."
— 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC:
"England were graphically illustrating the huge gulf in class between the sides and it was no surprise when Lampard added the second just before the half hour. Steven Gerrard found his Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson and Lampard arrived in the area with perfect timing to glide a header beyond Namasco."
— 2012 September 7, Phil McNulty, “Moldova 0-5 England”, in BBC Sport:
"Michael Thompson said he had been photographing prison buildings on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to illustrate an article by Tom Reeves […] when an unidentified plainclothes employee of the prison approached him."
— 1980 December 13, David Morris, “Prison Officials Seize GCN Film”, in Gay Community News, volume 8, number 21, page 1:
"Here, when the morn illustrates all the sky."
— 1614–1615, Homer, “(please specify the book number)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume (please specify the book number), London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC:
"Matter to me of glory, whom their hate / Illustrates."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
To help students understand the concept, the teacher will ____ it with a clear diagram.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The teacher used some colorful diagrams to help ____ the complex process of photosynthesis.