elaborate
adjective
elab·o·rate
| \ i-ˈla-b(ə-)rət
\
\
Definition of elaborate
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: planned or carried out with great care
took elaborate precautions
2
: marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness
elaborate prose
elaborate
verb
elab·o·rate
| \ i-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt
\
\
elaborated;
elaborating
Definition of elaborate (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to expand something in detail
would you care to elaborate on that statement
2
: to become elaborate (see elaborate entry 1)
1
: to work out in detail : develop
elaborate a theory
2
: to produce by labor
3
: to build up (something, such as complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
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Other Words from elaborate
Adjective
elaborately
adverb
elaborateness
noun
Verb
elaboration
\ i-ˌla-bə-ˈrā-shən
\
noun
\
noun
elaborative
\ i-ˈla-bə-ˌrā-tiv
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for elaborate
Synonyms: Adjective
complex, complicated, detailed, fancy, intricate, involved, sophisticated
Synonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Adjective
no-frills, simple, unfancy, unsophisticated
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Examples of elaborate in a Sentence
Adjective
Jumping spiders, the largest family of spiders, have excellent eyesight and perform elaborate courtship and threat displays, often characterized by ritualized body postures and leg waving. — Simon Pollard, Natural History, March 1995 Mostly, I think, because it's wicked hot today, I've been having elaborate fantasies about the perfect hot-weather lunch: two dozen freshly opened Little Necks and a couple bottles of ice-cold lager. None of that red "cocktail" sauce on 'em either, just lemon and coarse black pepper. — Vladimir Estragon, Waiting for Dessert, 1982 On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. — Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850 They made elaborate preparations for his visit. I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan. The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes. He told the story in elaborate detail.Verb
… the National Weather Service … advised all citizens in New Orleans's water-filled neighborhoods "to take the necessary tools for survival." The Weather Service elaborated: "Those going into attics should try to take an axe or hatchet with them so they can cut their way onto the roof to avoid drowning should rising flood waters continue to rise into the attic." — Christopher Cooper & Robert Block, Diaster, 2006 In each evening's sleep sustained dream scenarios, elaborated over periods lasting up to an hour, alternate with thought-like mentation in 90-minute-cycles. — Jeffrey Saver, London Review of Books, 4 Aug. 1988 I'll be glad to elaborate if you want to hear more. She was asked to say more about her earlier statements, but she declined to elaborate.
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The book’s elaborate depiction of a range of personal sacrifices brings into focus the human tragedies obscured by statistics and discussions of public policy. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 20 Aug. 2019 This poses a challenge that many scientists aren’t formally trained to tackle: Recruit hundreds of participants through elaborate marketing and networking. — Jordan Wilkerson, Dallas News, "UTD lab's marketing challenge: Recruit veterans for PTSD study," 15 Aug. 2019 There was no elaborate plan to get commitments or pitch some of the countries top players. — Stephen Means, cleveland.com, "Paris Johnson Jr.'s two recruitments to Ohio State and his growth as a 5-star prospect: Buckeyes recruiting," 15 Aug. 2019 This year’s festivities were marked with a welcome abundance of bright colors on eyes, lips and hair, and face jewels that mimicked the jewels on the elaborate costumes worn. — Shalwah Evans, Essence, "Caribana 2019 Was A Spectacular Of Black Beauty And Hair," 5 Aug. 2019 Wearing an elaborate costume, including a headpiece outfitted with a monitor, Ho used a rope to connect people in the audience. — Lila Seidman, Glendale News-Press, "Down the street from vandalized comfort-women statue is an exhibit honoring the women," 1 Aug. 2019 RiRi often attends Crop Over, rocking elaborate costumes throughout the festivities. — Hannah Malach, Billboard, "Rihanna Announces She's Returning to Barbados For 2019 Crop Over Festival," 16 July 2019 The Las Vegas extravaganzas featuring showgirls and showboys in elaborate costumes are bouncing back to life, even though the shows closed long ago. — Jay Jones, latimes.com, "In Las Vegas, showgirls still strut their stuff (in museum displays)," 18 June 2019 Naturally, in true Kylie fashion, everyone wore elaborate costumes — including little Stormi, who was seen sporting a red cape à la Thor. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Celebrates Travis Scott's Birthday With a Giant Billboard and "Avengers" Party," 27 Apr. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
While El Paso police chief Greg Allen declined to elaborate on what kind of statements are being made by alleged mass murderer Patrick Wood Crusius, the 21-year-old has apparently spoken freely. — David K. Li, NBC News, "El Paso shooting being treated as domestic terrorism, police say suspect cooperating," 4 Aug. 2019 Fiorito said the defendant threw unspecified evidence out of the car window during the chase, but declined to elaborate. — Pomerado News, "Man charged with drive-by murder of Poway High grad," 23 July 2019 Disneyland representatives declined to elaborate further on why the second attraction will not be ready to open this year at the park. — Hugo Martin, latimes.com, "Disneyland’s second Star Wars land ride is delayed until January," 11 July 2019 Larimer sheriff’s officials declined to elaborate, but last week confirmed their probe remains ongoing. — Jackson Barnett, The Denver Post, "Shambhala, the Boulder-born Buddhist organization, suppressed allegations of abuse, ex-members say," 7 July 2019 Murtha said, declining to elaborate because Major League Football is publicly traded. — Patrick Danner, ExpressNews.com, "Bankrupt football league’s gear sold at San Antonio court auction," 3 July 2019 Detroit Golf Club president Andrew Glassberg said Tuesday a contingency plan is in place if the workers strike, but a DGC spokesperson declined to elaborate on the plan. — Greg Levinsky, Detroit Free Press, "Protesters gather outside Detroit Golf Club over labor dispute," 26 June 2019 The Justice Department later declined to elaborate. — Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, "Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen not yet briefed on DOJ probe into origins of Russia probe," 17 May 2019 Eddy declined to elaborate, saying the experience was too traumatic to discuss in detail. — Sean Murphy, The Seattle Times, "Oklahoma ex-senator David Boren accused of sexual misconduct," 30 Mar. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elaborate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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