French word

éclairer

Pronunciation

IPA/ekleʁe/

Meaning

  • verblight

Example

La lampe éclaire la table.

The lamp lights the table.

Illustration for éclairer (light)

More examples

Peux-tu éclairer la situation?

Can you clarify the situation?

Core concept

A beam brings hidden edges into view, whether the object is a table or an unclear idea.

Common phrases

  • éclairer un point

    clarify a point

  • éclairer la situation

    clarify the situation

Similar words

expliquer: To show the meaning or reasons behind something in clear words.
renseigner: To supply requested or needed facts and information.

Definition in French

Donner de la lumière à quelque chose ou rendre une idée ou une situation plus claire par une explication.

Word origin

Éclairer comes from Old French esclairer, from Vulgar Latin exclarare based on Latin clarus, and developed from adding light to making ideas clear.

Usage tips

  • The construction éclairer quelqu'un sur quelque chose means giving that person information about a subject, with sur introducing the subject.

Other meanings

  • explainverb
  • clarifyverb
  • illuminateverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word