# illustrate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɪl.jʊˌstɹeɪt/ · frequency rank #11,044

## Definitions
1. To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.
2. To provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.
3. To shed light upon.
4. To give renown or honour to; to make illustrious.

## Etymology
Back-formation from illustration.

## Easily confused with
- **illustrated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/illustrate-vs-illustrated)
- **illustrator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/illustrate-vs-illustrator)
- **illustrative** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/illustrate-vs-illustrative)

## Common misspellings (13)
`illsutrate`, `illusrtate`, `illusstrate`, `illustarte`, `illustraet`, `illustratte`, `illustrrate`, `illustrtae`, `illusttrate`, `illutsrate`, `ilulstrate`, `ilustrate`, `lilustrate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/illustrate