ELABORATE
Dictionary entry overview: What does elaborate mean?
• ELABORATE (adjective)
The adjective ELABORATE has 2 senses:
1. marked by complexity and richness of detail
2. developed or executed with care and in minute detail
Familiarity information: ELABORATE used as an adjective is rare.
• ELABORATE (verb)
The verb ELABORATE has 4 senses:
1. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
2. produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product
3. make more complex, intricate, or richer
4. work out in detail
Familiarity information: ELABORATE used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• ELABORATE (adjective)
Meaning:
Marked by complexity and richness of detail
Synonyms:
elaborate; luxuriant
Context example:
an elaborate lace pattern
Similar:
fancy (not plain; decorative or ornamented)
Meaning:
Developed or executed with care and in minute detail
Synonyms:
detailed; elaborated; elaborate
Context examples:
a detailed plan / the elaborate register of the inhabitants prevented tax evasion / the carefully elaborated theme
Similar:
careful (exercising caution or showing care or attention)
• ELABORATE (verb)
Meaning:
Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
lucubrate; expound; expatiate; elaborate; exposit; flesh out; dilate; enlarge; expand
Context example:
She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation
Hypernyms (to "elaborate" is one way to...):
clarify; clear up; elucidate (make clear and (more) comprehensible)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "elaborate"):
detail (provide details for)
exposit; expound; set forth (state)
exemplify; illustrate; instance (clarify by giving an example of)
particularise; particularize; specialise; specialize; specify (be specific about)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
They elaborate that there was a traffic accident
Meaning:
Produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Context example:
The bee elaborates honey
Hypernyms (to "elaborate" is one way to...):
create; make; produce (create or manufacture a man-made product)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Make more complex, intricate, or richer
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
rarify; complicate; refine; elaborate
Context example:
refine a design or pattern
Hypernyms (to "elaborate" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "elaborate"):
involve (make complex or intricate or complicated)
develop (elaborate by the unfolding of a musical idea and by the working out of the rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme)
sophisticate (make more complex or refined)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Work out in detail
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
work out; elaborate
Context example:
elaborate a plan
Hypernyms (to "elaborate" is one way to...):
develop; make grow (cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
