French Conversation · Level 113
59 words
French word
illuminer
Pronunciation
IPA/ilymine/
Meaning
- verblight
Example
Le lampadaire illumine la rue la nuit.
The streetlamp lights the street at night.
More examples
La bougie illumine la pièce.
The candle illuminates the room.
Core concept
A glow that not only reveals something but also gives a place or person greater liveliness.
Common phrases
illuminer la pièce
illuminate the room
illuminer la rue
illuminate the street
illuminer un visage
illuminate a face
Similar words
allumer: Switch on an electrical device or lamp so it produces light.
éclairer: Light a place so that objects or people can be seen.
briller: Give off light and shine brightly.
éblouir: Dazzle the eyes with strong light, making it hard to see.
Definition in French
Mettre de la lumière sur un lieu, un objet ou une personne, ou, au sens figuré, rendre quelque chose plus vivant ou plus visible.
Word origin
The verb illuminer is inherited through French from Latin illuminare, based on lumen, light, with its sense extending from physical lighting to vividness.
Usage tips
- French normally uses éclairer rather than illuminer when the object is an idea or issue that needs clarification.
Opposites
- obscurcirdarkenverb
- assombrirdarkenverb
Related words
- illuminationilluminationnoun
- illuminéilluminatedadjective