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enlighten

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ɪnˈlaɪtən/

Forms: enlightening, enlightened

enlighten means: To help someone understand something they did not know or understand before.

verb

GIVE UNDERSTANDINGC1

To help someone understand something they did not know or understand before.

  • Please enlighten me.
  • The talk enlightened us about local wildlife.
  • Her explanation enlightened readers who knew little about the subject.

How to use it: enlighten someone about something (Could you enlighten me about the new rules?); enlighten someone on something (The guide enlightened us on the building's history.)

Similar words: inform, educate

Common phrases: enlighten someone, enlighten someone about something, enlighten me, enlighten the public

GIVE LIGHTC2

To shine light on something or make a place bright.

  • The rising sun enlightened the valley.
  • A single candle enlightened the dark chamber.
  • Moonlight enlightened the path before them.

Similar words: light, illuminate, light up

Opposites: darken

Common phrases: enlighten the earth, enlighten the darkness

Questions about enlighten

What does enlighten mean?

To help someone understand something they did not know or understand before.

What is enlighten in other languages?

Türkçe: aydınlatmak · Español: ilustrar · Français: éclairer · Deutsch: aufklären · Italiano: illuminare · 日本語: 啓発する

How do you pronounce enlighten?

It is pronounced /ɪnˈlaɪtən/.

How do you use enlighten in a sentence?

Please enlighten me. The talk enlightened us about local wildlife.

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enlighten in other languages

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