enlighten

[ en-lahyt-n ]
/ ɛnˈlaɪt n /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR enlighten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to give intellectual or spiritual light to; instruct; impart knowledge to: We hope the results of our research will enlighten our colleagues.
Archaic. to shed light upon.

Origin of enlighten

First recorded in 1350–1400, enlighten is from the Middle English word enli(g)htenen. See en-1, lighten1

OTHER WORDS FROM enlighten

Words nearby enlighten

enl., enlace, enlarge, enlargement, enlarger, enlighten, enlightened, enlightenment, enlil, enlist, enlisted man

Words related to enlightened

open-minded, literate, sophisticated, civilized, reasonable, knowledgeable, liberal, cultivated, savvy, sharp, learned, refined, aware, broad-minded

Example sentences from the Web for enlightened

British Dictionary definitions for enlightened (1 of 2)

enlightened
/ (ɪnˈlaɪtənd) /

adjective

factually well-informed, tolerant of alternative opinions, and guided by rational thought an enlightened administration; enlightened self-interest
privy to or claiming a sense of spiritual or religious revelation of truth the search for an enlightened spiritual master

British Dictionary definitions for enlightened (2 of 2)

enlighten
/ (ɪnˈlaɪtən) /

verb (tr)

to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify
to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition
to give spiritual or religious revelation to
poetic to shed light on

Derived forms of enlighten

enlightener, noun enlightening, adjective