# illustrate

/ˈɪɫəˌstɹeɪt/ (US) · /ˈɪləstɹˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/illustrate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to explain with examples

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to explain or make an idea clear by giving a specific example.

For teachers: to clarify or explain a point by providing examples, comparisons, or evidence. Often used in academic contexts to introduce supporting data.

- The teacher used a simple story to illustrate how the new law works.
- The professor provided several case studies to illustrate the long-term effects of inflation on consumer spending habits.

Usage: Often used with 'how' or 'that' clauses.

### 2. to add pictures

verb · CEFR B2

to draw or provide pictures for a book or article.

For teachers: to provide a publication with decorative or explanatory visual features such as drawings, photographs, or diagrams.

- She was hired to illustrate a new series of children's books about space.
- The manuscript was beautifully illustrated with hand-drawn maps and detailed botanical sketches from the nineteenth century.

Usage: Commonly used in the passive voice when discussing books.

## Examples

- The teacher uses a diagram to illustrate how the heart works.
- To illustrate the point about rising costs, the speaker showed a graph of energy prices over the last decade.
- The recent failure of the regional bank serves to illustrate the inherent risks of over-leveraging assets in a volatile market, providing a cautionary tale for future investors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.