elucidate

[ih-loo-si-deyt]

verb (used with object)

elucidated, elucidating 

1. to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain.

   an explanation that elucidated his recent strange behavior.

   Synonyms: illuminate, clarify

verb (used without object)

elucidated, elucidating 

1. to provide clarification; explain.

   Synonyms: illustrate, clear up

elucidate

/ ɪˈluːsɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to make clear (something obscure or difficult); clarify

Other Word Forms

• elucidator noun
• elucidative adjective
• elucidation noun
• nonelucidating adjective
• nonelucidative adjective
• unelucidated adjective
• unelucidating adjective
• unelucidative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elucidate¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin ēlūcidātus “enlightened” (past participle of ēlūcidāre ), equivalent to ē- intensive prefix + lūcid(us) “bright, shining, clear, clear to the understanding” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, lucid, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of elucidate¹

C16: from Late Latin ēlūcidāre to enlighten; see _lucid

Example Sentences

It was a sweeping sweep of a sweep, the Dodgers winning their third consecutive game from the Padres Sunday by a 5-4 margin that does not begin to elucidate the difference between these two teams.

From Los Angeles Times

On the West Coast, he found more “openness” and an “anything goes” ethos that saw the struggling artist move further into music as a means to elucidate and explore creativity.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the impressive power of the book club might have been better elucidated if details about its impact in other Eastern Bloc countries were brought into the story.

From Los Angeles Times

While Flanagan understands humanity’s penchant for complacency in the face of chaos, his script does little to elucidate the reasons people turn a blind eye to their fellow humans’ suffering, much less pose any solutions.

From Salon

McPherson takes liberties, setting the play in 1900 central Ukraine and, perhaps more consequently, elucidating the psychology where Chekhov was a tad more ambiguous.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clear up 
• decode 
• enlighten 
• exemplify 
• explicate 
• expound 
• get across 
• illuminate 

When To Use

What are other ways to say elucidate?

To elucidate something is to throw light upon it or make it clear. How does elucidate compare to synonyms explain, expound, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.