What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Illustrate vs Identify - What's the difference?

illustrate | identify |

As verbs the difference between identify and illustrate

is that identify is to establish the identity of someone or something while illustrate is to shed light upon; to illuminate.

illustrate

English

Verb

(illustrat)
  • (obsolete) To shed light upon; to illuminate.
  • * Were the Moon smooth, as a looking glass, a very small part would be seen by any particular eye to be illustrated by the Sun.
  • * Chapman
  • Here, when the moon illustrates all the sky.
  • To clarify something by giving, or serving as, an example or a comparison.
  • * Milton
  • To prove him, and illustrate his high worth.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=September 7 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Moldova 0-5 England , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=England were graphically illustrating the huge gulf in class between the sides and it was no surprise when Lampard added the second just before the half hour. Steven Gerrard found his Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson and Lampard arrived in the area with perfect timing to glide a header beyond Namasco.}}
  • * We illustrate our definitions by including quotations or simple examples.
  • To provide a book or other publication with pictures, diagrams or other explanatory or decorative features.
  • * The economics textbook was illustrated with many graphs.
  • (obsolete) To give renown or honour to; to make illustrious; to glorify.
  • * Milton
  • Matter to me of glory, whom their hate / Illustrates .

    References

    * ----

    identify

    English

    Verb

  • To establish the identity of someone or something.
  • *
  • (biology) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
  • *
  • To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
  • * D. Ramsay
  • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
  • * Burke
  • Let us identify , let us incorporate ourselves with the people.
  • (reflexive) To have a strong affinity (with); to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
  • * 1999 , Joyce Crick, translating Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams , Oxford 2008, p. 117:
  • The dream is given a new interpretation if in her dream she means not herself but her friend, if she has put herself in the place of her friend, or, as we may say, she has identified herself with her.
  • To associate oneself with some group.
  • *
  • To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.
  • * {{quote-magazine
  • , year=2010 , author= , title=Youth Who Self-Identify as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual at Higher Suicide Risk, Say Researchers , date=Feb. 6, 2010 , magazine=Science Daily citation , passage="The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao. }}

    Synonyms

    * to ID