Enlighten
verb
To give someone knowledge or understanding about something.
The professor enlightened us about the effects of global warming.
Often appears as...
- enlighten someone about something
- enlighten someone on a topic
Usage tips
Academic
verb
In religious context, to free someone from ignorance and misinformation about spiritual matters.
The guru's teachings enlightened his followers about the path to peace.
Often appears as...
- enlighten followers
- enlighten a soul
Usage tips
Religious
verb
In history and culture, to put into effect principles and ideals of enlightment particularly intellectual, philosophical, and political movement.
The French Revolution is often seen as an attempt to enlighten society about individual rights.
Often appears as...
- enlighten society
- enlighten political systems
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
verb
To give someone knowledge or understanding about something.
The professor enlightened us about the effects of global warming.
Often appears as...
- enlighten someone about something
- enlighten someone on a topic
Usage tips
Academic
verb
In religious context, to free someone from ignorance and misinformation about spiritual matters.
The guru's teachings enlightened his followers about the path to peace.
Often appears as...
- enlighten followers
- enlighten a soul
Usage tips
Religious
verb
In history and culture, to put into effect principles and ideals of enlightment particularly intellectual, philosophical, and political movement.
The French Revolution is often seen as an attempt to enlighten society about individual rights.
Often appears as...
- enlighten society
- enlighten political systems
Usage tips
Formal
Historical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Clarification
Use 'enlighten' to describe learning that deepens understanding, often in an academic context.
The documentary enlightened me about climate change.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Facts
'Enlighten' implies providing insight, not just facts or data.
She enlightened the audience with her analysis.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharing Wisdom
It suggests sharing specialized or privileged information that enlightens the listener.
The teacher enlightened us about Shakespeare's hidden themes.
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Clarification
Use 'enlighten' to describe learning that deepens understanding, often in an academic context.
The documentary enlightened me about climate change.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Facts
'Enlighten' implies providing insight, not just facts or data.
She enlightened the audience with her analysis.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharing Wisdom
It suggests sharing specialized or privileged information that enlightens the listener.
The teacher enlightened us about Shakespeare's hidden themes.
Pro Tip 1/3Academic Clarification
Use 'enlighten' to describe learning that deepens understanding, often in an academic context.
The documentary enlightened me about climate change.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Facts
'Enlighten' implies providing insight, not just facts or data.
She enlightened the audience with her analysis.
Pro Tip 3/3Sharing Wisdom
It suggests sharing specialized or privileged information that enlightens the listener.
The teacher enlightened us about Shakespeare's hidden themes.
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Video examples
Rick Guidotti: From...
And I think as an artist, it's my responsibility, and all of our responsibilities, to steady that gaze a little bit longer. Because you stand there, and you'll see a difference. You'll start seeing beauty in that difference. And you'll start seeing beautiful gorgeousness, and then this light just spreads, and once you're enlightened, it just changes your whole world.
Video examples
Bob Thurman: We can be...
with human life on it, and enlightened beings can see the life on all the other planets. So they don't -- when they look out and they see those lights that you showed in the sky -- they don't just see sort of pieces of matter burning or rocks or flames or gases exploding. They actually see landscapes and human beings
Video examples
Love doesn’t need labels...
grandma worked he was the one whose arms I fell into and I thought my mom was dying of cancer he was the guy who enlightened me about all these great writers and thinkers in the world so wasn't he my partner at the time I have two friends who are sisters
Video examples
Thoughts on humanity,...
or you can use it to give courage to people so they rise to the greatest heights of enlightenment. You can use your energy to build nuclear bombs and spread the darkness of destruction, or you can use it to spread the joy of light to millions.
Video examples
Zen kōans: Unsolvable...
and learning to accept the mysteries of existence was the true path to enlightenment. But fighting the urge to explain the unexplainable can be difficult. So to help practice living with these mysteries,
Video examples
A Black man goes...
These guys seem to live beneath the bridges of said superhighway -- And they also missed the memo about the enlightenment of the internet age. I remember being called highly colorful racial slurs
Video examples
How to use a semicolon -...
it has some specific and important tasks. For one, it can clarify ideas in a sentence that's already festooned with commas. At first, they may seem frightening, then, they become enlightening,
Video examples
How to recognize a...
Have you ever tried to picture an ideal world? One without war, poverty, or crime? If so, you're not alone. Plato imagined an enlightened republic ruled by philosopher kings,
Video examples
The secrets of Mozart’s...
pointing towards enlightenment. That's similar to Tamino, who in passing his trials restores balance to the kingdom while growing stronger, wiser, and more complete.
Video examples
Coconut Crabs Devour Pig...
And the results are about the most disgusting thing you've ever seen. But it is very enlightening. With help from their smaller strawberry hermit crab
Video examples
Rick Guidotti: From...
And I think as an artist, it's my responsibility, and all of our responsibilities, to steady that gaze a little bit longer. Because you stand there, and you'll see a difference. You'll start seeing beauty in that difference. And you'll start seeing beautiful gorgeousness, and then this light just spreads, and once you're enlightened, it just changes your whole world.
Video examples
Bob Thurman: We can be...
with human life on it, and enlightened beings can see the life on all the other planets. So they don't -- when they look out and they see those lights that you showed in the sky -- they don't just see sort of pieces of matter burning or rocks or flames or gases exploding. They actually see landscapes and human beings
Video examples
Love doesn’t need labels...
grandma worked he was the one whose arms I fell into and I thought my mom was dying of cancer he was the guy who enlightened me about all these great writers and thinkers in the world so wasn't he my partner at the time I have two friends who are sisters
Video examples
Thoughts on humanity,...
or you can use it to give courage to people so they rise to the greatest heights of enlightenment. You can use your energy to build nuclear bombs and spread the darkness of destruction, or you can use it to spread the joy of light to millions.
Video examples
Zen kōans: Unsolvable...
and learning to accept the mysteries of existence was the true path to enlightenment. But fighting the urge to explain the unexplainable can be difficult. So to help practice living with these mysteries,
Video examples
A Black man goes...
These guys seem to live beneath the bridges of said superhighway -- And they also missed the memo about the enlightenment of the internet age. I remember being called highly colorful racial slurs
Video examples
How to use a semicolon -...
it has some specific and important tasks. For one, it can clarify ideas in a sentence that's already festooned with commas. At first, they may seem frightening, then, they become enlightening,
Video examples
How to recognize a...
Have you ever tried to picture an ideal world? One without war, poverty, or crime? If so, you're not alone. Plato imagined an enlightened republic ruled by philosopher kings,
Video examples
The secrets of Mozart’s...
pointing towards enlightenment. That's similar to Tamino, who in passing his trials restores balance to the kingdom while growing stronger, wiser, and more complete.
Video examples
Coconut Crabs Devour Pig...
And the results are about the most disgusting thing you've ever seen. But it is very enlightening. With help from their smaller strawberry hermit crab
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
I believe enlightenment or revelation comes in daily life. I look for joy, the peace of action. You need action. I'd have stopped writing years ago if it were for the money.
Quote examples
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Indian Statesman
Ultimately, education in its real sense is the pursuit of truth. It is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment.
Quote examples
Frank Peretti
American Author
My main goal is still for the books to minister in some way, to teach a spiritual truth, to enlighten people.
Quote examples
Bodhidharma
Indian Leader
Only one person in a million becomes enlightened without a teacher's help.
Quote examples
Idries Shah
Indian Author
Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm.
Quote examples
George Orwell
British Author
Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility.
Quote examples
Lao Tzu
Chinese Philosopher
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
Quote examples
Rodrigo Duterte
Filipino Statesman
I've always said that God will somehow enlighten me.
Quote examples
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American Philosopher
Every burned book enlightens the world.
Quote examples
Damon Dash
American Businessman
It's important to be enlightened.
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
I believe enlightenment or revelation comes in daily life. I look for joy, the peace of action. You need action. I'd have stopped writing years ago if it were for the money.
Quote examples
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Indian Statesman
Ultimately, education in its real sense is the pursuit of truth. It is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment.
Quote examples
Frank Peretti
American Author
My main goal is still for the books to minister in some way, to teach a spiritual truth, to enlighten people.
Quote examples
Bodhidharma
Indian Leader
Only one person in a million becomes enlightened without a teacher's help.
Quote examples
Idries Shah
Indian Author
Enlightenment must come little by little - otherwise it would overwhelm.
Quote examples
George Orwell
British Author
Enlightened people seldom or never possess a sense of responsibility.
Quote examples
Lao Tzu
Chinese Philosopher
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
Quote examples
Rodrigo Duterte
Filipino Statesman
I've always said that God will somehow enlighten me.
Quote examples
Ralph Waldo Emerson
American Philosopher
Every burned book enlightens the world.
Quote examples
Damon Dash
American Businessman
It's important to be enlightened.
Example 1 of 10
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