French Conversation · Level 37
74 words
French word
illustrer
Pronunciation
IPA/ilystʁe/
Meaning
- verbillustrate
Example
Cette phrase illustre mon propos.
This sentence illustrates my point.
More examples
Cette image illustre un point important.
This image illustrates an important point.
Core concept
An idea is lit up by an example or visual detail that reveals how it works.
Common phrases
illustrer un point
illustrate a point
illustrer par un exemple
illustrate with an example
illustrer une idée
illustrate an idea
Similar words
montrer: Make something clear by showing an object or picture.
expliquer: Make reasons or workings clear through words and explanation.
présenter: Present necessary information in an organized, understandable form.
citer: Quote someone's words or cite a specific example to make a point.
Definition in French
Rendre plus clair ou plus compréhensible quelque chose en donnant des exemples, en ajoutant des images ou en faisant des comparaisons.
Word origin
The verb is a learned borrowing from Latin illustrāre, "to illuminate," whose figurative sense developed into clarifying or explaining something.
Usage tips
- In "Cette phrase illustre mon propos," "illustrer" means support or clarify a point, not merely add a picture to it.
Opposites
- obscurcirobscureverb
- cacherhideverb
Related words
- illustrationillustrationnoun
- illustratifillustrativeadjective
- illustrateurillustratornoun