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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  • Give you a similar word to practice with?

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:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • 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

Practice with vocabulary illustrate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The case study will ________________ the challenges faced by small businesses in the current economic climate.
  2. The architect used detailed drawings to ________________ the proposed building's innovative design.
  3. To ________________ her point about effective leadership, the speaker shared several anecdotes from her career.
  4. Please ________________ the steps involved in accessing the online portal for new employees.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words can best replace "show" in the sentence: "The chart shows a significant increase in sales"? a) Conceal b) Obscure c) Illustrate d) Imply

  2. To make a complex theory understandable, a presenter might: a) Fabricate an excuse b) Illustrate with examples c) Confound the audience d) Provide a clear visual representation

  3. The artist was commissioned to ________________ the historical event in a large mural, capturing the emotions and details of the period. a) Elucidate b) Portray c) Simplify d) Illustrate

  4. If you want to provide clear examples to explain something in detail, you would: a) Obfuscate the facts b) Illustrate your points c) Digress from the topic d) Withhold information

  5. Which words mean to make something clearer and easier to understand by providing more information or explanation? a) Obscure b) Confuse c) Clarify d) Elucidate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker used several real-world examples to explain how the new policy would affect employees. Rewrite using "illustrate" or related word forms:

  2. The report contained many diagrams and charts that helped explain the complex data. Rewrite using "illustrate" or related word forms:

  3. The technical manual needed to be made easier to understand for non-specialists. Rewrite, but do NOT use "illustrate" or its related forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. illustrate
  2. illustrate
  3. demonstrate
  4. explain

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Illustrate
  2. b) Illustrate with examples, d) Provide a clear visual representation
  3. b) Portray
  4. b) Illustrate your points
  5. c) Clarify, d) Elucidate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The speaker used several real-world examples to illustrate how the new policy would affect employees.
  2. The report was richly illustrated with diagrams and charts that helped explain the complex data.
  3. The technical manual needed to be clarified for non-specialists.

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