elaborate
word
/ɪˈɫæbɝˌeɪt/, /ɪˈɫæbɹət/
i-LA-brut (adjective), i-LA-buh-rayt (verb)
/ɪˈlæbəˌreɪt/, /ɪˈlæbrət/
i-LA-brut (adjective), i-LA-buh-rayt (verb)
Definition
As a verb, to give more details or explain something more carefully. As an adjective, it means complex, with many details or carefully made.
Usage & Nuances
Verb and adjective; verb often in requests ('Can you elaborate?'). Adjective describes something with intricate detail. 'Elaborate on' means to give more information about a specific point. Adjective is more formal, often used in technical or academic contexts.
Spanish: elaborar - detallar (explicar) - detallado (adj.)Portuguese (BR): elaborar - explicar em detalhes - detalhado (adj.)Portuguese (PT): elaborar - explicar em detalhe - detalhado (adj.)Chinese (Simplified): 详细说明 - 精心制作Chinese (Traditional): 詳細說明 - 精心製作Hindi: विस्तार से बताना - विस्तृतArabic: يُفَصِّل - يُوَضِّح بالتفصيل - مُفَصَّلBengali: বিস্তারিতভাবে বলা (verb) - জটিল (adjective) - সুসজ্জিত (adjective)Russian: подробно объяснять - сложный - тщательно продуманныйJapanese: 詳しく説明する (verb) - 精巧な (adjective)Vietnamese: giải thích chi tiết (verb) - công phu - tỉ mỉ (adjective)Korean: 자세히 설명하다 (verb) - 정교한 (adjective)Turkish: ayrıntılı olarak açıklamak (verb) - gösterişli (adjective) - ayrıntılı (adjective)Urdu: تفصیل سے بیان کرنا (verb) - پرُتعیش (adjective) - پیچیدہ (adjective)Indonesian: menjelaskan secara rinci (verb) - rumit - mewah (adjective)
Example Sentences
The cake was very elaborate, with many decorations.
basic
She gave an elaborate explanation of the process.
basic
I wish he didn’t elaborate so much—it made the meeting longer.
natural
Can you elaborate on your answer?
basic
Their costumes were so elaborate that everyone stopped to look.
natural
Let me elaborate a bit on what I just said.
natural