Illuminate
Verb
UK
/ɪˈluː.mɪ.neɪt/
US
/ɪˈluː.mə.neɪt/
Level: Easy - A1 (Beginner)
Definition
To light something up or to make something clear and easier to understand.
Example
"The flashlight illuminated the dark room."
"The moonlight illuminated the path through the forest."
"The teacher’s explanation illuminated the meaning of the poem for the class."
Explanation
To illuminate means to shine light on something so you can see it more clearly. It can also mean to explain something and make it easier to understand. We use it for physical light, like a lamp lighting a room, or for understanding, like a teacher helping you understand a hard topic. So, it can be both literal and figurative.