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illustrative

/ɪˈlʌstrədɪv/
IPA guide

Other forms: illustratively

A fight with your brother over who ate the most food may be illustrative of your competitive relationship with him. Something illustrative means it is a telling example of something else.

Within this word, you see illustrate which means to make something clear by using pictures or examples. Something is illustrative when it paints a perfect picture of a subject. If you're trying to describe something, an illustrative example might make it easier for your audience to understand what you mean. The tidiness of your sock drawer might be illustrative of your compulsive (or messy) nature.

Definitions of illustrative
  1. adjective
    clarifying by use of examples
    synonyms: exemplifying
    informative, informatory
    providing or conveying information
  2. adjective
    serving to demonstrate
    synonyms: demonstrative
    informative, instructive
    serving to instruct or enlighten or inform
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