# elucidate

**Pronunciation:** /ɪˈluːsɪdeɪt/ · ih-LOO-sih-dayt

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning

To make something clear or easier to understand by explaining it.

## Examples

- The teacher's detailed explanation helped to elucidate the historical event.
- Could you please elucidate your point further? I'm not sure I follow.
- The report aims to elucidate the causes of the company's financial difficulties.

## Synonyms

- explain — General term for making something understandable.
- clarify — To make something less confusing or more certain.
- illuminate — To make something clear by shedding light on it, often metaphorically.
- expound — To explain or interpret a theory or idea in detail.

## Antonyms

- obscure — To make something unclear, difficult to understand, or hidden.
- confuse — To make someone unable to think clearly or understand something.

## Common patterns

- elucidate something — To make a specific thing clear or understandable. — The speaker's examples helped to elucidate the main argument.
- elucidate on something — To provide further explanation or details about a particular topic. — She was asked to elucidate on her previous statement.

## Collocations

- elucidate the cause — The investigation aimed to elucidate the cause of the accident.
- elucidate the meaning — The footnotes helped to elucidate the meaning of the ancient text.
- elucidate the process — The manual clearly elucidates the process for assembling the furniture.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/elucidated

[Browse the English learner dictionary](https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english)