Phrase guide

shed light on

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To illuminate; to make clear.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: also, figuratively, transitive

Examples

  • The new instruments will shed some light on the history of these rocks.
  • There was another noticeable circumstance that shed light on human nature and Grim's knowledge of it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Could you clarify these remarks?
  • Clear up the question of who is at fault

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clear, clear up, crystallize, crystallise, crystalize, crystalise, straighten out, sort out, enlighten, illuminate, elucidate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: clarify, clear up, elucidate

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 闡明 /阐明 (chǎnmíng) — to illuminate
  • Finnish: valaista — to illuminate
  • Finnish: valottaa — to illuminate
  • French: faire la lumière sur — to illuminate
  • Georgian: ნათელს მოფენს (natels mopens) — to illuminate
  • German: auf etwas ein Licht werfen — to illuminate
  • German: etwas beleuchten (näher) (fig.) — to illuminate
  • Greek: ρίχνω φως (ríchno fos) — to illuminate
  • Hebrew: שפך אור על (shafákh ór ál) — to illuminate
  • Italian: fare luce su — to illuminate
  • Polish: oświecić — to illuminate
  • Polish: objaśnić — to illuminate
  • Polish: rzucać światło — to illuminate
  • Polish: rzucić światło — to illuminate
  • Portuguese: lançar luz sobre — to illuminate
  • Romanian: lămuri — to illuminate
  • Russian: проли́ть свет — to illuminate
  • Slovak: osvietiť — to illuminate
  • Slovak: objasniť — to illuminate
  • Spanish: arrojar luz — to illuminate
  • Spanish: esclarecer — to illuminate
  • Spanish: echar luz — to illuminate