What is illustrate? Pronunciation and usage in English

illustrate means . Learn how to pronounce and use illustrate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of illustrate

illustrateverb

/ˈɪləstreɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of illustrate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "illustrate" in English. It can be tricky for some! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: The word is divided into three syllables:

  • il-
  • lus-
  • tra-te

2. Phonetics (Sounds):

  • il: Pronounced like "ill" – as in, "illness." (Sounds like /ɪl/)
  • lus: Pronounced like "luhs" – similar to "luz" but with a slight "s" sound at the end. (Sounds like /lus/)
  • tra: Pronounced like "trah" – as in, "travel." (Sounds like /trə/)
  • te: Pronounced like "teh" – as in, "the". (Sounds like /te/)

3. Combined Pronunciation:

Putting it all together, it sounds something like: ILL-lus-tra-teh (with a slight pause between "lus" and "tra")

4. Tips for Sounding Natural:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the last syllable: "ILL-lus-tra-teh."
  • Don't "uh" the "tra": Avoid saying “ill-lus-uh-rate” – that's a common mistake.
  • Smooth Transition: Try to make a smooth transition between the syllables.

Resources to Help You Hear It:

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Usage and examples with the word illustrate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "illustrate" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, but they all revolve around the idea of making something clearer or more understandable.

1. As a Verb – To Provide Examples or Visuals

This is the most common usage of "illustrate." It means to provide examples, illustrations, or visual aids to clarify a point or make something easier to understand.

  • Examples:
    • "Can you illustrate your point with a specific example?" (Give me an example.)
    • "The textbook illustrates the principles of physics with diagrams." (The book shows them with pictures.)
    • "The speaker used a story to illustrate the importance of teamwork." (The speaker used a narrative to make the point.)
    • "The article illustrates the devastating effects of climate change with photographs." (The article uses pictures to show the damage.)

2. As a Verb – To Draw or Paint (to represent something visually)

This refers to the actual act of creating an illustration – drawing, painting, etc.

  • Examples:
    • "The artist illustrates children's books." (The artist draws the pictures.)
    • "He illustrates historical events with detailed drawings." (He creates drawings showing history.)

3. As an Adjective – Descriptive or Illustrative

Less commonly, “illustrative” can be used as an adjective to describe something that helps to make something clear.

  • Examples:
    • "This is an illustrative example of what we were talking about." (This example helps to make the concept clear.)
    • "The report’s charts are illustrative of the trend in sales." (The charts demonstrate the trend.)

Here’s a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To provide examples or visuals “Please illustrate your argument with data.”
Verb To draw or paint “The artist illustrated the fairy tale.”
Adjective Descriptive or showing something clearly "An illustrative case study"

Tips for Using “Illustrate” Effectively:

  • Clarity is key: Use "illustrate" when you’re trying to make something more understandable.
  • Pair it with "example," "diagram," "picture," or "story": This helps to make the meaning even clearer.
  • Consider the context: Make sure the context of your sentence makes it clear whether you’re talking about providing examples or creating a visual.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What are you trying to do with the word “illustrate”? (e.g., are you writing an essay, giving a presentation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word illustrate

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