- 1[intransitive, transitive] to explain or describe something in a more detailed way elaborate (on/upon something) He said he was resigning but did not elaborate on his reasons. elaborate something She went on to elaborate her argument.
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- 2[transitive] elaborate something to develop a plan, an idea, etc. and make it complicated or detailed In his plays, he takes simple traditional tales and elaborates them.
elaborate
verbNAmE//ɪˈlæbəˌreɪt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they elaborate he / she / it elaborates
past simple elaborated
-ing form elaborating
NAmE//ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃn//
noun [uncountable, countable] the elaboration of an idea The importance of the plan needs no further elaboration.See elaborate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: elaborate