illuminate

US /ɪˈluː.mə.neɪt/

UK /ɪˈluː.mə.neɪt/

1.

light up; make brighter with light

:

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The full moon illuminated the path through the forest.

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Christmas lights illuminate the city streets during the holidays.

:

light up brighten irradiate light

:

darken obscure

2.

help to clarify or explain (a subject or matter)

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•

The new research findings helped to illuminate the complex issue.

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His lecture managed to illuminate the historical context of the events.

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clarify explain elucidate shed light on

:

confuse obscure