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Definition of illustration

illustration

/ˌɪl.əˈstreɪ.ʃən/
il · lus · tra · tion
Adverb:illustratively
•
Plural:illustrations
•
Adjective:illustrative
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illustration Lexical Profile

illustration Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A picture, drawing, or diagram used to decorate or explain a text.

Example

"The children's book features a beautiful watercolor illustration on almost every page."

2

An example, anecdote, or fact serving to clarify or prove a point.

Example

"The professor used the recent economic crisis as an illustration of how global markets are deeply interconnected."

3

The action or process of illuminating, explaining, or decorating a text with pictures.

Example

"He spent several months on the illustration of the new botanical encyclopedia."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for illustration
Antonyms
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• Rhymes for illustration

• Nearby Words

illusiveness
illusory
illustrate
illustration
illustrative
illustratively
illustrator

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English, via Old French from Latin illustratio(n-), from the verb illustrare 'light up, illuminate, explain'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

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