ENLIGHTENING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does enlightening mean? 

• ENLIGHTENING (adjective)
  The adjective ENLIGHTENING has 2 senses:

1. tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance

2. enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement

  Familiarity information: ENLIGHTENING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENLIGHTENING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance

Synonyms:

enlightening; illuminating; informative

Context example:

an illuminating lecture

Antonym:

unenlightening (failing to inform or clarify)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Enlightening or uplifting so as to encourage intellectual or moral improvement

Synonyms:

edifying; enlightening

Context example:

the paintings in the church served an edifying purpose even for those who could not read

 Context examples 

Something about the coming year in college or graduate school will be especially enlightening and have a strong bearing on your future course.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)