enlightenment
gb/ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/ us/ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
B2
Engels
~ 7200
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Zelfstandig naamwoord
B2
state
1
deep and clear understanding
A state when you understand something very well and see it clearly, often in a new way.
Gebruikspatroon:
gain enlightenment about [something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse "enlightenment" with "lightening" (making something lighter in color or weight). Another mistake is overusing it in everyday situations where a simpler word like "understanding" or "clarity" would sound more natural. "Enlightenment" is usually reserved for deeper or more significant understanding, not simple facts (you normally say "I understood the rule," not "I had enlightenment about the rule").
Synoniemen
insight (Emphasizes the sudden or deep understanding of something, often used more broadly and slightly more commonly.)
|
illumination (Slightly more literary; suggests being mentally 'lit up' with clear understanding.)
|
understanding (More general and less intense; does not always imply the depth or clarity of 'enlightenment'.)
Antoniemen
ignorance (Lack of knowledge or awareness, the opposite of having deep understanding.)
|
confusion (A state of not seeing things clearly or not understanding, opposing the clarity in enlightenment.)
Woordcombinaties
gain enlightenment
|offer enlightenment
|intellectual enlightenment
|moment of enlightenment
|true enlightenment
|quest for enlightenment
Thema's
thinking
|education
|personal_growth
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- The course gave me real enlightenment about how our legal system works.
- After years of research, the scientist finally reached enlightenment on the cause of the disease.
- The article offers little enlightenment on why the policy failed.
- Traveling alone brought her enlightenment about what she truly wanted from life.
- His sudden enlightenment during the meeting changed the direction of the entire project.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The book gave me enlightenment about climate change.
- Talking with my teacher brought me enlightenment about my future plans.
- The video did not give much enlightenment on the problem.
- Her trip to another country was a kind of enlightenment for her.
- I hope this lesson will bring you some enlightenment on the topic.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
C1
state
2
spiritual or religious awakening
A very high spiritual state where a person feels completely awake inside and understands deep truth about life or reality.
Gebruikspatroon:
achieve enlightenment through [practice]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use this spiritual meaning when they just mean simple learning, saying things like "I got enlightenment in math" instead of "I learned math" or "I finally understood math." This spiritual sense is mostly used for very deep, life-changing religious or inner experience, not regular study. Also, in texts about Buddhism or Hinduism, learners may forget that "enlightenment" is usually not used with an article in general ("seeking enlightenment," not "seeking an enlightenment").
Synoniemen
awakening (Often used in spiritual contexts for a sudden realization; can be less complete or final than enlightenment.)
|
nirvana (A Buddhist term; sometimes overlaps with enlightenment but also strongly includes freedom from suffering.)
|
self-realization (Focuses more on understanding one's true self; not always as broad or absolute as spiritual enlightenment.)
Antoniemen
delusion (Being strongly mistaken about reality, the opposite of clear spiritual understanding.)
|
spiritual blindness (A figurative phrase for being unable or unwilling to understand spiritual truth.)
Woordcombinaties
spiritual enlightenment
|achieve enlightenment
|seek enlightenment
|attain enlightenment
|path to enlightenment
|state of enlightenment
Thema's
religion
|philosophy
|personal_growth
Voorbeelden
- In Buddhism, enlightenment is the end of suffering and the ultimate goal of practice.
- He left his job and traveled across Asia in search of spiritual enlightenment.
- Meditation is seen by many as a path to enlightenment.
- The teacher reminded her students that enlightenment cannot be forced or rushed.
- Some people claim to have experienced brief moments of enlightenment during intense prayer.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- Many people meditate to reach enlightenment.
- In this religion, enlightenment is the highest goal.
- She believes that true enlightenment comes from helping others.
- The monk talked about his journey toward enlightenment.
- They went on a retreat to look for enlightenment.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
formal
C1
event
3
18th-century European intellectual movement
A time in European history, mainly in the 1700s, when many writers and thinkers focused on reason, science, and human rights. It is called the Enlightenment.
Gebruikspatroon:
the Enlightenment in [place or field]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners often forget to capitalize this meaning. When it refers to the historical movement, it should be written as "the Enlightenment" with a capital E. Writing "the enlightenment" usually suggests the general idea of becoming enlightened, not the specific historical period.
Synoniemen
the Age of Reason (A common historical label that highlights the focus on rational thought during the Enlightenment.)
|
the Age of Enlightenment (A fuller historical name; stylistically a bit more formal but essentially the same period.)
Antoniemen
the Dark Ages (A traditional (and debated) term for earlier European history often seen as less rational and less scientific, contrasted with the Enlightenment.)
Woordcombinaties
the Enlightenment
|Age of Enlightenment
|Enlightenment thinkers
|Enlightenment ideals
|Enlightenment philosophy
|Enlightenment values
Thema's
history
|politics
|philosophy
|education
Voorbeelden
- The Enlightenment laid much of the intellectual groundwork for modern democracy.
- Many Enlightenment thinkers believed that education could improve society.
- Her research focuses on religious tolerance during the Enlightenment in France.
- Kant is often described as one of the central philosophers of the Enlightenment.
- Enlightenment ideals strongly influenced the American and French revolutions.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The Enlightenment was an important time in European history.
- During the Enlightenment, many writers talked about human rights.
- Enlightenment thinkers believed in the power of reason.
- The ideas of the Enlightenment changed politics in Europe.
- We studied the Enlightenment in my history class.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
formal
C1
action
4
act of informing or educating
The act of teaching or explaining something so that people can understand it clearly.
Gebruikspatroon:
for the enlightenment of [someone]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes use this formal sense in casual speech where a simpler word like "information" or "education" is more natural. Phrases like "public enlightenment" and "for the enlightenment of" are mostly found in official, written, or formal contexts, not everyday conversation.
Synoniemen
education (Broader and more common; includes formal teaching, while "enlightenment" in this sense is often used in formal or official writing.)
|
instruction (Focuses on giving specific, practical information; sounds more concrete and less grand than "enlightenment".)
Antoniemen
misinformation (Refers to giving false or misleading information instead of helpful knowledge.)
|
obscurantism (A formal term for deliberately preventing people from getting knowledge, the opposite of promoting enlightenment.)
Woordcombinaties
public enlightenment
|for the enlightenment of
|campaign of enlightenment
|means of enlightenment
|enlightenment programs
|enlightenment efforts
Thema's
education
|communication
|government
Voorbeelden
- The government launched a series of public enlightenment campaigns about the new health regulations.
- These workshops are offered for the enlightenment of citizens who are unsure of their legal rights.
- Accurate reporting by the press is essential for the enlightenment of the public.
- The charity focuses on the enlightenment of rural communities about hygiene and disease prevention.
- The brochure was printed for the enlightenment of new employees.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The TV program was made for the enlightenment of the public.
- The school runs a campaign for the enlightenment of parents about internet safety.
- Good news reports help in the enlightenment of society.
- The health office started a project for the enlightenment of children about nutrition.
- The leaflet is for the enlightenment of new students.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
enlightenment
IPA
GB/ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
US/ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
en - light - ment (3 lettergrepen)
Stress on 2nd syllable (light)
Woordvormen
Noun
- Base: enlightenment
- Plural: enlightenment
Woordfamilie
Core family
enlighten
verb
enlightened
adjective
enlightening
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unenlightened
adjective
Uitdrukkingen
achieve enlightenment
1/ət͡ʃˈiv ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
fixed phrase
reach a state of enlightenment
To finally reach a state where you are enlightened, either spiritually or in a deep mental way.
Voorbeelden
- According to the tradition, the Buddha achieved enlightenment under a bodhi tree.
- They believe it may take many lifetimes to achieve enlightenment.
- He does not claim to have achieved enlightenment; he just feels more awake to his own life.
Age of Enlightenment
1/ˈeɪd͡ʒ əv ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
historical period name
Another common name for the historical time called the Enlightenment.
Voorbeelden
- The Age of Enlightenment influenced revolutions in America and France.
- In the Age of Enlightenment, writers challenged the power of kings and churches.
- We read about major thinkers of the Age of Enlightenment.
path to enlightenment
1/pˈæθ tə ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
idiom
process leading to enlightenment
The series of actions, practices, or life changes that help a person become enlightened, especially in a spiritual way.
Voorbeelden
- For her, daily meditation and service to others are part of the path to enlightenment.
- Different teachers describe the path to enlightenment in different ways.
- He wrote a book about his own path to enlightenment after years of struggle.
seek enlightenment
1/sˈik ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
fixed phrase
try to gain deep understanding
To look for or try hard to get very deep understanding, often about spiritual or life questions.
Voorbeelden
- Many people travel to distant countries to seek enlightenment.
- He left his high-paying job to seek enlightenment and a simpler life.
- They joined the group to seek enlightenment about the meaning of suffering.
spiritual enlightenment
1/spˈɪɹɪt͡ʃuəl ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
fixed phrase
state of deep spiritual understanding
A very high spiritual state when a person fully understands deep spiritual truth and feels free inside.
Voorbeelden
- She moved to a monastery in search of spiritual enlightenment.
- The book explains how meditation can lead to spiritual enlightenment.
- Different religions have different ideas about spiritual enlightenment.
the Enlightenment
1/ðə ɪnlˈaɪtənmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
the historical Enlightenment period
The name of an important time in European history when many thinkers focused on reason, science, and human rights.
Voorbeelden
- Voltaire was one of the most famous writers of the Enlightenment.
- The values of the Enlightenment still shape many Western societies today.
- Our professor gave a lecture on religion and the Enlightenment.