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Definition of illuminative

illuminative

/ɪˈluː.mə.neɪ.tɪv/
il · lu · mi · na · tive
Adverb:illuminatively
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illuminative Lexical Profile

illuminative Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Serving to clarify, explain, or provide intellectual or spiritual enlightenment.

Example

"The historian's newly discovered letters provided an illuminative commentary on daily life in the sixteenth century."

2

Giving off or relating to physical light; serving to light up a space.

Example

"Engineers tested the illuminative capacity of the new streetlamps during heavy fog."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for illuminative

• Nearby Words

illuminating
illuminatingly
illumination
illuminative
illuminator
illusion
illusional

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 15th century, from Late Latin illuminativus ('serving to enlighten'), derived from the verb illuminare ('to light up, make bright'), from in- ('upon') and lumen ('light').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Illuminative. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/illuminative
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