To elucidate means to make something clear by explaining it carefully and thoroughly. When your teacher elucidates a difficult math concept, she breaks it down step by step until everyone understands. When a scientist elucidates her research findings, she explains what she discovered, how she discovered it, and why it matters.

The word suggests bringing light to something that was confusing or obscure. Think of walking into a dark room and flipping on the light switch. That's what happens when someone elucidates a topic: suddenly you can see what was hidden before.

You might ask a friend to elucidate what happened at lunch if you only caught part of the story. A museum guide elucidates the meaning of ancient symbols carved into stone. Good writers elucidate complex ideas so readers can follow their thinking.

The opposite of elucidating would be making something more confusing or mysterious. When you elucidate, you're being helpful and clear. You're taking something complicated and making it understandable, like a translator turning words from another language into your own.