Elaborate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ELABORATE

[more elaborate; most elaborate]

:

made or done with great care or with much detail

:

having many parts that are carefully arranged or planned

• They made elaborate preparations for his visit.

• I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan/plot/scheme.

• The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes.

• He told the story in elaborate detail.

• an elaborate meal

• The room was elaborately decorated.

— elaborateness

noun

[noncount]

Britannica Dictionary definition of ELABORATE

1

[no object]

:

to give more details about something

:

to discuss something more fully

• 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/refused to elaborate.

— often + on

• She refused to elaborate on her earlier statements.

2

[+ object]

:

to bring (something, such as an idea or a plan) to a more advanced or developed state

• The philosopher spent years elaborating [=_developing_] his ideas.

— elaboration

/ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/

noun,

plural

elaborations

[noncount]

• The design requires further elaboration.

[count]

• his elaborations of the basic design