illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive i-ˈlə-strə-tiv 

also

ˈi-lə-ˌstrā- 

: serving, tending, or designed to illustrate

illustrative examples

art that is illustrative of provincial life

illustratively adverb

Synonyms

• elucidative
• exegetical
• exegetic
• explanative
• explanatory
• explicative
• explicatory
• expositive
• expository
• illuminative
• interpretative
• interpretive

Examples of illustrative in a Sentence

an illustrative analogy in which the relationship between God and humanity is likened to that between a shepherd and his flock

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider this illustrative example and corresponding tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategies. —Kristin McKenna, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Looking at this group can be illustrative because their financial outcomes haven't been influenced in the same way as people who have been married, divorced or widowed, Kent's analysis noted. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 24 Sep. 2024

Trotter said his situation with the NFL was illustrative of that tension. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2024

Hypothetical examples are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the returns of any particular investment. —Philip Maymin, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

illustrative

adjective

il·​lus·​tra·​tive il-ˈəs-trət-iv 

: serving or meant to illustrate

illustrative examples