English Explanatory Dictionary

enlighten

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To supply with light.
  2. To make something clear to (someone); to give knowledge or understanding to.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈlaɪtən/ /ənˈlaɪtən/ /ɛnˈlaɪtən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-enlighten.wav

Word forms

enlighten enlightens enlightening enlightened

Etymology

Formerly also inlighten, from Middle English enlightenen, inlightnen, a hybrid formed from inlighten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), from Old English inlīhtan, onlīhtan, enlīhtan (“to enlighten, illuminate, give light to, give sight to”) and lightnen (“to enlighten, illuminate”) (equivalent to light + -en). Cognate with Dutch inlichten (“to enlighten, inform”), Old High German inliuhten (“to enlighten, illuminate”), Gothic 𐌹𐌽𐌻𐌹𐌿𐌷𐍄𐌾𐌰𐌽 (inliuhtjan, “to enlighten, illuminate”). More at inlight, -en.

Synonyms

illumine illuminate alight belight beshine bright enlighten fire illume illustrate irradiate light lighten light up luster lustrate shed light on apprise clarify explain notify inform edify

Antonyms

endarken

Related words

elucidate lighten

Derived words

enlightenable enlightener enlightenment
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