Elucidate
verb /ɪˈluː.sɪ.deɪt/ — To make something clear by explaining it
Definition
To make something that is obscure or confusing clear and understandable — to shed light on complexity through careful explanation.
Beyond the definition
The intellectual act of generosity. To elucidate is to decide that understanding matters more than being the only one who understands.
Origin & history
From Latin 'elucidare' — 'e' (out) + 'lucidus' (clear, bright, from 'lux', light). To bring out into the light.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She asked him to elucidate: the sentence was grammatically perfect and completely opaque.
Good teaching is the willingness to elucidate without condescension.
The footnote elucidated the reference that had been puzzling readers for three hundred years.
Synonyms
clarify, explain, illuminate, expound, explicate
Antonyms
obscure, obfuscate, confuse, mystify
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Methodical pursuit of truth
An adult works at a large table, arranging complex, interlocking wooden pieces into a clear, ordered, and structured assembly.
By creating a clear, ordered structure from the pieces, the adult works to elucidate the underlying truth of their task. The methodical process sheds light on the complexity of the puzzle, making it clear and understandable for everyone.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration