enlighten

en-light-en · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To give someone greater knowledge and understanding about something.

  2. 2.

    To free someone from ignorance or misconceptions.

  3. 3.

    (Spiritual) To give spiritual insight or awakening.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    enlighten someone about/on — provide information about a topic
  • •
    be so kind as to enlighten me — polite request for information (sometimes ironic)

Related words

Antonyms: confuse, mislead, obscure
See also: enlightened, enlightenment, illuminate
Synonyms: educate, illuminate, inform, instruct

Etymology

From Old English inlihtan ("to illuminate, enlighten"), from in- ("in") + lihtan ("to light up"), from leoht ("light"). The word combines the idea of bringing light (knowledge) into darkness (ignorance).