illustrative
/'iləstreitiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Serving to demonstrate or explain: Providing a clear example or visual representation that helps make something easier to understand.
- Clarifying by use of examples: Using specific instances or cases to show or prove a general point or principle.
Usage
The word illustrative is used to describe something (like a picture, story, statistic, or case) that is intended to explain or show a point more clearly. It is often used in formal, academic, or explanatory contexts.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The teacher used an illustrative diagram to explain the water cycle.
- Her story about saving money was illustrative of the book's main principle.
- The report included illustrative data from several key studies.
Advanced Usage
- "to be illustrative of something": This common phrase means to serve as a typical or explanatory example of a broader concept, trend, or quality.
- This single case is illustrative of the challenges faced by the entire industry.
- Used in legal or technical writing to introduce a clarifying example.
- The court provided an illustrative list of prohibited actions.
Variants and Related Words
- Illustrate (verb): To explain or make something clear by using examples, pictures, or diagrams.
- The graph illustrates the rapid growth in sales.
- Illustration (noun):
- A picture or diagram that helps explain something.
- The textbook has many helpful illustrations.
- An example that explains or proves something.
- He provided a perfect illustration of the concept.
- Illustratively (adverb): In a way that serves as an example.
- The author illustratively compares the two political systems.
Synonyms
- Exemplary: Serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind. (Note: "Exemplary" can also mean "very good," while "illustrative" is neutral.)
- Demonstrative: Serving to prove or show something clearly.
- Explanatory: Intended to explain something.
- Expository: Intended to explain or describe something.
Antonyms
- Confusing: Difficult to understand; unclear.
- Obscure: Not clearly expressed or easily understood.
- Uninformative: Not providing useful or interesting information.
Related Phrases
- For illustrative purposes: A phrase used to indicate that something is being shown or mentioned only as an example to help understanding, not as a main point or definitive case.
- The figures are simplified for illustrative purposes only.
Adjective
- serving to demonstrate
- clarifying by use of examples