Elaborate on Meaning in English
expression
ɪˈɫæbɝˌeɪt/, /ɪˈɫæbɹət/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
ih-LAB-er-ayt on
ɪˈlæbəɹeɪt/ /ˈɒn
ih-LAB-uh-rayt on
Definition
To give more details or information about something; to explain something more thoroughly.
Usage & Nuances
Frequently used in formal and academic contexts, especially when asking for more explanation. Usually followed by 'on' and a topic ('elaborate on your answer'). Not the same as 'expand' (which often means making bigger physically or in scope).
Spanish: detallar - explicar en profundidadPortuguese (BR): elaborar sobre - detalhar - explicar em detalhesPortuguese (PT): elaborar sobre - detalhar - explicar em detalheChinese (Simplified): 详细说明 - 详细阐述Chinese (Traditional): 詳細說明 - 詳細闡述Hindi: विस्तार से बताना - विस्तारपूर्वक समझानाArabic: يفصل في - يشرح بتفصيلBengali: বিস্তারিত বলা - বিশদভাবে ব্যাখ্যা করাRussian: подробно рассказать о - подробнее остановиться наJapanese: 詳しく説明する - 詳細に述べるVietnamese: trình bày chi tiết về - giải thích rõ hơn vềKorean: 자세히 설명하다 - 자세히 말하다Turkish: ayrıntılı olarak açıklamak - detaylandırmakUrdu: تفصیل سے بیان کرنا - وضاحت کرناIndonesian: menjelaskan secara rinci - menguraikan lebih lanjut
Example Sentences
Can you elaborate on this topic?
basic
Please elaborate on your answer.
basic
The teacher asked me to elaborate on my opinion.
basic
I'd be happy to elaborate on that if you want more details.
natural
Could you elaborate on what happened last night?
natural
She always likes to elaborate on her stories.
natural