to illustrate — to explain something by giving examples or showing it in pictures
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to explain something by giving examples or showing it in pictures
Pronunciation (IPA): /tə ˈɪləˌstreɪt/
Example Sentences
- My mom always illustrates her cooking instructions with hilarious stick figure drawings.
- The data perfectly illustrates why students prefer pizza over vegetables in school lunches.
- The professor used real-world examples to illustrate complex economic theories.
to illustrate
VERB[/tə ˈɪləˌstreɪt/]
to explain something by giving examples or showing it in pictures
A teacher illustrates complex concepts using colorful visual examples on whiteboard
To illustrate is to demonstrate and narrate, helping others celebrate understanding through visual story
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'illustrare' meaning 'to light up' or 'to make clear,' derived from 'in-' (in) + 'lustrare' (to brighten), ultimately from 'lustrum' (purification ceremony with light). The term evolved to mean 'to clarify or explain' by the 16th century.
Breakdown
in- (in/into) + lustr- (to brighten/light) + -ate (verb suffix) = illustrate (to make clear or bright through explanation)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom always illustrates her cooking instructions with hilarious stick figure drawings.”
“The data perfectly illustrates why students prefer pizza over vegetables in school lunches.”
“The professor used real-world examples to illustrate complex economic theories.”
“This graph illustrates the dramatic increase in coffee consumption during exam week.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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