How Do You Spell ENLIGHTEN?

Pronunciation: [ɛnlˈa͡ɪtən] (IPA)

The word "enlighten" is spelled with the letters E-N-L-I-G-H-T-E-N, /ɪnˈlaɪtən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "en" represents the prefix indicating causation or initiation, while the "light" represents the core meaning of illuminating or making something understandable. The "en" and "light" are followed by the suffix "-en," indicating to cause or become, and the final syllable "-en," which is silent but helps preserve the spelling of the word. Together, these sound units form the familiar and widely-used verb "enlighten."

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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ENLIGHTEN Meaning and Definition

  1. Enlighten is a verb that refers to the act of imparting knowledge, understanding, or insight to someone, typically in order to broaden their perspective, dispel ignorance, or bring about a higher level of awareness. It involves shedding light on a particular subject, concept, or situation, thereby enabling individuals to better comprehend or appreciate it.

    When someone enlightens another, they provide information, guidance, or clarity on a particular matter, often with the intention of fostering personal growth, intellectual development, or moral consciousness. This can be achieved through various means, such as through education, teaching, mentoring, or simply sharing wisdom and experiences. It involves expanding someone's intellectual horizons, challenging their preconceptions or biases, and illuminating the paths towards truth, fairness, or self-realization.

    To enlighten also implies the initiation or promotion of enlightenment, which generally refers to a state of intellectual, spiritual, or philosophical illumination. It encompasses the attainment of knowledge, wisdom, or deeper understanding that liberates the mind from ignorance, enabling individuals to view the world in a more comprehensive, compassionate, or liberated manner.

    In summary, to enlighten means to inform, educate, or guide someone towards greater knowledge, understanding, or awareness, often with the aim of promoting personal growth, intellectual development, or moral consciousness. It involves shedding light on a subject or situation to challenge existing beliefs, broaden perspectives, and facilitate the attainment of enlightenment.

  2. To shed light on; to illuminate; to instruct.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for ENLIGHTEN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ENLIGHTEN

Etymology of ENLIGHTEN

The word "enlighten" originated from the Late Middle English term "enlihtenen", which was formed by combining the prefix "en-" (meaning "to make, put into") and the Old English word "lihtan" (meaning "to shine, illuminate"). In essence, "enlighten" originally meant "to make light, illuminate". Over time, its meaning evolved and came to connote intellectual or spiritual illumination, representing the enlightenment of the mind.

Idioms with the word ENLIGHTEN

  • enlighten sm The idiom "enlighten someone" means to provide knowledge or understanding to someone, often about a topic or concept they were previously unaware of or had misconceptions about. It implies the act of shedding light on a subject and helping the person gain clarity or insight.
  • enlighten someone The idiom "enlighten someone" means to provide someone with knowledge or understanding about a particular subject or issue. It entails enlightening or educating someone by shedding light on a topic, helping them gain insights or clarity.

Similar spelling words for ENLIGHTEN

Conjugate verb Enlighten

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have enlightened
you would have enlightened
he/she/it would have enlightened
we would have enlightened
they would have enlightened
I would have enlighten
you would have enlighten
he/she/it would have enlighten
we would have enlighten
they would have enlighten

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been enlightening
you would have been enlightening
he/she/it would have been enlightening
we would have been enlightening
they would have been enlightening

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would enlighten
you would enlighten
he/she/it would enlighten
we would enlighten
they would enlighten

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be enlightening
you would be enlightening
he/she/it would be enlightening
we would be enlightening
they would be enlightening

FUTURE

I will enlighten
you will enlighten
he/she/it will enlighten
we will enlighten
they will enlighten

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be enlightening
you will be enlightening
he/she/it will be enlightening
we will be enlightening
they will be enlightening

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have enlightened
you will have enlightened
he/she/it will have enlightened
we will have enlightened
they will have enlightened

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been enlightening
you will have been enlightening
he/she/it will have been enlightening
we will have been enlightening
they will have been enlightening

IMPERATIVE

you enlighten
we let´s enlighten

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to enlighten

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was enlightening
you were enlightening
he/she/it was enlightening
we were enlightening
they were enlightening

PAST PARTICIPLE

enlightened

PAST PERFECT

I had enlightened
you had enlightened
he/she/it had enlightened
we had enlightened
they had enlightened

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been enlightening
you had been enlightening
he/she/it had been enlightening
we had been enlightening
they had been enlightening

PRESENT

I enlighten
you enlighten
he/she/it enlightens
we enlighten
they enlighten

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am enlightening
you are enlightening
he/she/it is enlightening
we are enlightening
they are enlightening

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

enlightening

PRESENT PERFECT

I have enlightened
you have enlightened
he/she/it has enlightened
we have enlightened
they have enlightened

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been enlightening
you have been enlightening
he/she/it has been enlightening
we have been enlightening
they have been enlightening

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it enlighten

SIMPLE PAST

I enlightened
you enlightened
he/she/it enlightened
we enlightened
they enlightened

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Correct spelling for enlighten
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