illustrate

illustrate is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

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Verb

Plain form illustrate

Third-person singular illustrates

Past tense illustrated

Past participle illustrated

Present participle illustrating

(transitive)

1. If you illustrate something, you draw a picture of it, or you explain it.

   "I'm sorry, can you explain again?" "OK, let me illustrate with an example."

   This graph illustrates the change in price.

2. If you illustrate a book, magazine, poster, etc., you put pictures in it.

   Have you tried reading these illustrated books for adults?