Sample sentences for ILLUSTRATE

2 meanings

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1 —as in:
as illustrated by this example

Definition

to help make clear — typically by example

Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.

illustrate = make clear

Other Uses (with this meaning)

This example will help illustrate my point

illustrate = make clear

This diagram illustrates the relationships I've mentioned.

illustrates = helps make clear

A pie chart showing expense by category would be illustrative.

illustrative = serving to help explain or demonstrate something

(editor's note: The suffix "-ive" converts a word into an adjective; though over time, what was originally an adjective often comes to be used as a noun. The adjective pattern means tending to and is seen in words like attractive, impressive, and supportive. Examples of the noun include narrative, alternative, and detective.)

Right or wrong, Louie's suspicions illustrated how sensitive he was to the idea that he was unworthy of Cynthia.
Laura Hillenbrand -- Unbroken

illustrated = helped make clear

He ground his teeth again and told a story to illustrate his point.
Chinua Achebe -- Things Fall Apart

illustrate = help make clear

This sentence clearly illustrates that she's not exactly what you'd call modest!
Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl

illustrates = helps make clear

I always illustrate my lecture with a lot of technical examples.
Aldous Huxley -- Brave New World

illustrate = help make clear

My father often spoke of the kindness of Akbar Khan and Nasir Pacha to illustrate that if you help someone in need you might also receive unexpected aid.
Malala Yousafzai -- I Am Malala

illustrate = help make clear

...and is whipped for being hard to please! I have an abundance of such illustrations of the same principle, drawn from my own observation, but think the cases I have cited sufficient.
Frederick Douglass -- The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

illustrations = stories to clarify or demonstrate

(editor's note: The suffix "-tions", converts a verb into a plural noun that denotes results of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in actions, illustrations, and observations.)

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford^® US Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

2 —as in:
an illustrated children's book

Definition

to draw pictures (or provide photographs) to accompany a book or other writing

I write and illustrate children's books.

illustrate = draw pictures to accompany

Other Uses (with this meaning)

The directions to assemble it have accompanying illustrations that identify each part.

illustrations = drawings

The magazine is called "Sports Illustrated" because of the photos.

illustrated = with pictures

Lori was working as a freelance artist specializing in fantasy, illustrating calendars and game boards and book jackets.
Jeannette Walls -- The Glass Castle

illustrating = drawing pictures to accompany

"Do you enjoy pictures?" he asked, picking up an illustrated guide to the Louvre that he had borrowed from the basement.
Amor Towles -- A Gentleman in Moscow

illustrated = accompanied by pictures or drawings

The girl in the illustrations looked nothing like her, and yet it could not be coincidence.
Frank Beddor -- The Looking Glass Wars

illustrations = pictures

Last night, for example, Margot was reading a book with beautiful illustrations; she got up and put the book aside for later.
Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl

illustrations = pictures

There was also a science book, which must have been for young children because it was filled with glossy illustrations.
Tara Westover -- Educated

illustrations = drawings or photographs

Instead she would copy pictures, or else she'd colour in the black-and-white illustrations in thick, erudite books of travel and history with her coloured pencils.
Margaret Atwood -- The Blind Assassin

illustrations = pictures

'But I've lots of illustrated papers left.' He turned to the pile of papers in the corner and took up a heap six inches thick.
Edith Nesbit -- The Railway Children

illustrated = with drawings

Dictionary / pronunciation — Google^®Dictionary / more samples — Oxford^® US Dictionary list — Onelook.com^®

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