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Meaning & use

enlightenment

noun, proper noun·Advanced

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UK/ɪnˈlaɪtnmənt/
US/ɪnˈlaɪtənmənt/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The state of understanding something deeply, especially after being confused or ignorant.

    Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'a moment of enlightenment' is fine, but not 'enlightenments'.

    Patterns

    • reach enlightenment
    • a moment of enlightenment
    • spiritual enlightenment

    After years of study, she finally reached a kind of enlightenment about her own fears.

    The book describes his slow enlightenment as he learned the truth about his family.

    Meditation is seen by many as a path to personal enlightenment.

  2. proper nounproperformal

    A European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that valued reason, science, and individual rights.

    Grammar: Capitalized as 'the Enlightenment' when referring to the historical period.

    Patterns

    • the Enlightenment
    • during the Enlightenment

    The Enlightenment challenged traditional authority and promoted scientific thinking.

    Philosophers of the Enlightenment argued for freedom of speech and religious tolerance.

    Many modern democratic ideas trace back to the Enlightenment.

Common combinations

spiritual enlightenment
He sought spiritual enlightenment in the mountains.
reach enlightenment
She reached enlightenment after years of practice.
the Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment saw many scientific discoveries.
a moment of enlightenment
Suddenly he had a moment of enlightenment and understood the problem.

Synonyms and how they differ

insight
Insight is a clear understanding of a specific thing, while enlightenment is a broader state of wisdom.
awakening
Awakening often suggests a sudden realization, whereas enlightenment can be a gradual process.

Opposites

ignorance

Word family

enlighten verb
To give someone knowledge or understanding.
enlightened adjective
Having or showing a rational, modern outlook.

Commonly confused: enlightenment or Enlightenment?

enlightenment vs Enlightenment

With a capital E, it refers to the historical period; with a lowercase e, it means personal understanding.

Practice

After years of meditation, he finally achieved a state of ___.

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