illustrate B2 Topic:Communication US /ˈɪl.əˌstɹeɪt/ UK /ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/ See IPA manual Freq #23270 Meanings 1 verb To make something clearer by giving an example or comparison. She used a simple chart to illustrate how the budget was spent. 2 verb To add pictures, diagrams, or other images to a book or text. The children's book was beautifully illustrated with colourful drawings. 3 verb To show or demonstrate something, especially as an example of a wider point. This case illustrates just how serious the problem has become. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 verb · to make something clearer... instance Word family Forms illustratedillustratesillustrating Derived forms illustrableillustratableillustratorillustratoryoverillustratereillustrate Etymology AI details Back-formation from illustration. Topics Communication External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # illustrate **Type:** Word **Level:** B2 **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈɪl.əˌstɹeɪt/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/ **Frequency rank:** 23270 ## Meanings 1. To make something clearer by giving an example or comparison. 2. To add pictures, diagrams, or other images to a book or text. 3. To show or demonstrate something, especially as an example of a wider point. ## Examples - She used a simple chart to illustrate how the budget was spent. - The children's book was beautifully illustrated with colourful drawings. - This case illustrates just how serious the problem has become. ## Derived Forms - illustrable - illustratable - illustrator - illustratory - overillustrate - reillustrate ## Etymology Back-formation from illustration. ## AI Etymology Illustrate is a back-formation from illustration. In current use, the main senses are “To make something clearer by giving an example or comparison” and “To add pictures, diagrams, or other images to a book or text”. ## Topics - Communication markdown