Elaborate Meaning in English
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
Can you elaborate on your answer?
basic
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
Their costumes were so elaborate that everyone stopped to look.
natural
Let me elaborate a bit on what I just said.
natural