WordReference can't find this exact phrase, but click on each word to see its meaning:

elaborate on


We could not find the full phrase you were looking for.
The entry for "elaborate" is displayed below.

Also see: on

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
e•lab•o•rate /adj. ɪˈlæbərɪt; v. -əˌreɪt/USA pronunciation   adj., v., -rat•ed, -rat•ing. 
adj. 
  1. having many parts;
    complex:an elaborate lighting system.
  2. [often: before a noun] worked out in great detail;
    painstaking.

v. [no object* (~ + on + object)]
  1. to work out in great detail:Could you elaborate please, Mr. Smith? Please elaborate on your idea.
e•lab•o•rate•ly, adv. 
e•lab•o•rate•ness, n. [uncountable]
e•lab•o•ra•tion /ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/USA pronunciation  n. [uncountable]See -lab-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
e•lab•o•rate  (adj. i lab′ər it;v. i lab′ə rāt′),USA pronunciation adj., v., -rat•ed, -rat•ing. 
adj. 
  1. worked out with great care and nicety of detail;
    executed with great minuteness:elaborate preparations; elaborate care.
  2. marked by intricate and often excessive detail;
    complicated.

v.t. 
  1. to work out carefully or minutely;
    develop to perfection.
  2. to add details to;
    expand.
  3. to produce or develop by labor.
  4. Physiologyto convert (food, plasma, etc.) by means of chemical processes into a substance more suitable for use within the body.

v.i. 
  1. to add details in writing, speaking, etc.;
    give additional or fuller treatment (usually fol. by on or upon):to elaborate upon a theme or an idea.
  • Latin ēlabōrātus (past participle of ēlabōrāre) worked out, equivalent. to ē- e- + labōr- work + -ātus -ate1
  • 1575–85
e•lab′o•rate•ly, adv. 
e•lab′o•rate•ness, n. 
e•lab′o•ra′tive, adj. 
e•lab′o•ra′tor, n. 
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged perfected, painstaking.
    • 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ornate.
      Elaborate, labored, studied apply to that which is worked out in great detail. That which is elaborate is characterized by great, sometimes even excessive, minuteness of detail:elaborate preparations for a banquet.That which is labored is marked by excessive, often forced or uninspired, effort:a labored style of writing.That which is studied is accomplished with care and deliberation, and is done purposely, sometimes even having been rehearsed:a studied pose.
    • 3, 7.See corresponding entry in Unabridged refine, improve.
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged simple.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
elaborate / ɪˈlæbərɪt/
  1. planned or executed with care and exactness; detailed
  2. marked by complexity, ornateness, or detail
 / ɪˈlæbəˌreɪt/
  1. (intr; usually followed by on or upon) to add information or detail (to an account); expand (upon)
  2. (transitive) to work out in detail; develop
  3. (transitive) to make more complicated or ornate
  4. (transitive) to produce by careful labour; create
  5. (transitive) to change (food or simple substances) into more complex substances for use in the body
Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin ēlabōrāre to take pains, from labōrāre to toileˌlaboˈrationelaborative / ɪˈlæbərətɪv/eˈlaboˌrator
'elaborate on' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
expatiate

Forum discussions with the word(s) "elaborate on" in the title:


Look up "elaborate on" at Merriam-Webster
Look up "elaborate on" at dictionary.com
  • Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks.

In other languages: Spanish | French | Italian | Portuguese | Romanian | German | Dutch | Swedish | Russian | Polish | Czech | Greek | Turkish | Chinese | Japanese | Korean | Arabic

Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!

Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.