enlightenment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'enlightenment' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It refers to the understanding of a subject, situation, or circumstance. It can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "The professor's lecture was an enlightening experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

These pronouncements – not quite return day trips from enlightenment into the colonial retrograde – coincide with his waning political will to amend the constitution during this parliamentary term so it meaningfully recognises Indigenous Australians.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the analogue 1980s, I took a year off college to hitch around Europe in search of adventure and enlightenment.

The Guardian - Travel

In this episode MacCulloch sweeps from the Enlightenment to the present day – a period during which even many Christians have decided that what occurs in their bedrooms is none of God's business.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Maybe humanity is actually heading for an age of enlightenment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We protesters got a taste of what for decades was meted out to dissidents and it led to our enlightenment and rebellion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Experience suggests that only those innovations which show genuine commercial value manage to crawl out of the trough and up the subsequent slope of enlightenment towards the plateau of productivity and market acceptance.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But I realised everything we were doing was deeply reductionist, basically saying: 'Scientists should shut down their labs and go and work in Tesco.' It was a kind of counter-enlightenment.

The Guardian

In them he seems to find a galvanising rejection of liberal complacency and post-enlightenment pieties.

The Guardian - Books

Will it survive?Jun 10th 2004 The first post-Enlightenment president?Jun 7th 2004These impressions were not always wrong.

The Economist

He contends that there were two Enlightenments, one Radical, the other Moderate.

The Economist

For Occidentalist fanatics such as Osama bin Laden, this legitimises mass murder.The authors' innovation is to see present-day Islamic extremism as just one manifestation of a rejection of western values that can be traced back to the birth of those values in the Enlightenment and indeed, far beyond to ancient biblical myths about the destruction of the sinful city.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical periods or movements, ensure that "enlightenment" is capitalized when referring to the Age of Enlightenment, to distinguish it from the general concept of gaining understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "enlightenment" interchangeably with similar terms like "information" or "awareness" without considering the depth and transformative nature that "enlightenment" implies.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enlightenment" is as a noun. It refers to the state of understanding or the act of gaining knowledge. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to describe both a process and a state of being informed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "enlightenment" is a versatile noun signifying the act of gaining understanding or the state of being enlightened. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. It appears frequently across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific publications. Distinguishing between the capitalized "Enlightenment" (referring to the historical period) and the lowercase "enlightenment" (general understanding) is crucial. Utilizing synonyms such as "spiritual awakening" or "revelation" can provide nuanced alternatives. Understanding its proper usage ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spiritual awakening

Focuses specifically on the spiritual aspect of gaining insight and understanding.

intellectual awakening

Emphasizes the cognitive and intellectual aspects of gaining understanding.

a clear understanding

Highlights the clarity achieved through gaining knowledge and insight.

increased awareness

Focuses on a broader sense of being conscious and informed about something.

a revelation

Suggests a sudden and profound realization of something.

a profound insight

Emphasizes the depth and significance of the understanding gained.

a deeper knowledge

Highlights the acquisition of more extensive and thorough understanding.

heightened consciousness

Focuses on an elevated state of awareness and perception.

a moment of clarity

Stresses the suddenness and lucidity of the understanding.

gaining perspective

Highlights the ability to see things from a broader and more informed viewpoint.

FAQs

How is "enlightenment" used in a sentence?

You can use "enlightenment" to describe the act of gaining understanding or the state of being enlightened. For example, "The lecture provided great enlightenment on the subject."

What are some synonyms for "enlightenment"?

Alternatives include "spiritual awakening", "intellectual awakening", and "revelation", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

What is the difference between "enlightenment" and "awareness"?

"Enlightenment" typically implies a deeper, more transformative understanding, while "awareness" suggests a general consciousness or knowledge of something.

Is "enlightenment" capitalized when referring to the Age of Enlightenment?

Yes, when referring to the historical period known as the Age of Enlightenment, "Enlightenment" should be capitalized. When using the word in other cases, like referring to the state of understanding, it's not capitalized.