Definition

1. 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

1. serving to demonstrate
2. clarifying by use of examples