to give information or understanding to; instruct; edify to free from ignorance, prejudice, or superstition to give spiritual or religious revelation to to shed light on
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
en•light•en /ɛnˈlaɪtən/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to give intellectual understanding or knowledge to;
instruct:to enlighten students.
en•light•en
(en līt′n),USA pronunciation v.t.
en•light′ened•ly, adv.
en•light′ened•ness, n.
en•light′en•er, n.
en•light′en•ing•ly, adv.
- 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.
- Middle English enli(g)htenen. See en-1, lighten1 1350–1400
en•light′ened•ness, n.
en•light′en•er, n.
en•light′en•ing•ly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged illumine, edify, teach, inform.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged mystify, confuse, perplex, puzzle.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'enlighten' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
broaden
- civilize
- elucidate
- enlightenment
- illuminate
- illustrate
- instruct
- instructive
- lighten
- teach
- undeceive