elucidate

verb

elu·​ci·​date i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt 

elucidated; elucidating

transitive verb

: to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis

elucidate a text

intransitive verb

: to give a clarifying explanation

elucidation

i-ˌlü-sə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

elucidative

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdā-tiv 

adjective

Did you know?

Elucidate comes from the Latin term lucidus, which means "lucid." Lucidus, in turn, comes from the verb lucēre, meaning "to shine." So elucidating can be thought of as the figurative equivalent of shining a light on something to make it easier to see.

Synonyms

• clarify
• clear (up)
• construe
• demonstrate
• demystify
• explain
• explicate
• expound
• get across
• illuminate
• illustrate
• interpret
• simplify
• spell out
• unriddle

Choose the Right Synonym for elucidate

explain, expound, explicate, elucidate, interpret mean to make something clear or understandable.

explain implies a making plain or intelligible what is not immediately obvious or entirely known.

explain the rules

expound implies a careful often elaborate explanation.

expounding a scientific theory

explicate adds the idea of a developed or detailed analysis.

explicate a poem

elucidate stresses the throwing of light upon as by offering details or motives previously unclear or only implicit.

elucidate an obscure passage

interpret adds to explain the need for imagination or sympathy or special knowledge in dealing with something.

interpreting a work of art

Examples of elucidate in a Sentence

When asked for details, he declined to elucidate further.

colored charts that really help to elucidate the points made in the text

Recent Examples on the Web

Along with collisions, astrophysicists have elucidated the idea of merging galaxies; this occurs when two galaxies interact with each other and meld together due to gravitational forces. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

This episode, from stem to stern, really elucidates the problem with idols in the new era. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024

Indeed, text is integral to Bader’s oeuvre, whether elucidating, in the artist’s own unique fashion, the proper constitution of his objects and assemblages, or simply existing as stand-alone artworks unto themselves. —Jeff Gibson, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

Israel has sunk ever deeper into the Gaza quagmire, neglecting to elucidate the regional and global contexts of the conflict. —Ari Shavit, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin elucidatus, past participle of elucidare, from Latin e- + lucidus lucid

First Known Use

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Kids Definition

elucidate

verb

elu·​ci·​date i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt 

elucidated; elucidating

: to make clear or plain : explain

elucidation

i-ˌlü-sə-ˈdā-shən 

noun

elucidative

i-ˈlü-sə-ˌdāt-iv 

adjective

elucidator

-ˌdāt-ər 

noun