elaborate
gb/ɪlˈæbɚɪt/ us/ɪlˈæbɚɪt/
B2
English
~ 4800
részletez, bővebben kifejt, aprólékosan kidolgozott, díszes, gondosan kidolgozott
VERB
B2
1
részletez
B2
Usage pattern:
to elaborate on [something]
Could you elaborate on your last statement?
Tudná bővebben kifejteni az iménti kijelentését?
The witness was asked to elaborate on what he saw.
A tanút arra kérték, hogy fejtse ki részletesebben, mit látott.
She elaborated on her plan during the meeting.
The teacher encouraged students to elaborate their answers.
He refused to elaborate further when questioned.
Learner examples
Please elaborate on your idea.
Kérlek, fejtsd ki bővebben az ötletedet.
Can you elaborate on that point?
Ki tudnád fejteni bővebben ezt a pontot?
He will elaborate during his talk.
She did not elaborate about the problem.
The book elaborates on this topic.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'on' after 'elaborate' when used with an object, e.g., saying 'elaborate the topic' instead of 'elaborate on the topic'.
Meaning
Explain in greater detail
Collocations
elaborate on a point
|elaborate further
|carefully elaborate
Synonyms
expand (Less formal; often used interchangeably when giving more information.)
|
clarify (Focuses on making something clearer rather than adding more detail.)
Antonyms
summarize (Opposite in that it reduces information to key points instead of adding details.)
Themes
communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say more about something so it is clearer and easier to understand.
To give more details or information about something already mentioned.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
an elaborate [plan/design/decoration]
The thieves had an elaborate plan to break into the vault.
A tolvajoknak gondosan kidolgozott tervük volt arra, hogy betörjenek a páncélterembe.
She wore an elaborate gown covered in beads and lace.
Díszes, gyöngyökkel és csipkével borított estélyi ruhát viselt.
The building's facade featured elaborate carvings.
They prepared an elaborate meal for the guests.
His excuse was too elaborate to be believable.
Learner examples
The house has an elaborate garden.
A háznak gondosan kialakított kertje van.
She wore an elaborate dress.
Díszes ruhát viselt.
They made an elaborate dinner.
He told an elaborate story.
The party had elaborate decorations.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'elaborate' as an adjective with the verb form and use incorrect sentence structure.
Meaning
Detailed and complex
Collocations
elaborate plan
|elaborate design
|elaborate decoration
Synonyms
ornate (Often used for decoration; implies artistic style.)
|
intricate (Emphasizes complexity and fine detail.)
Antonyms
simple (Lacking complexity or detailed parts.)
Themes
art
|design
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
Made with many small parts or details; very carefully planned or decorated.
Having a lot of careful detail or many complicated parts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
elaborate
IPA
GB/ɪlˈæbɚɪt/
US/ɪlˈæbɚɪt/
Syllables & stress
elab - or - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (or)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: elaborate
Verb
- Base: elaborate
- 3rd Person Singular: elaborates
- Present Participle: elaborating
- Past: elaborated
Word family
Forms
elaborates
verb
elaborating
verb
elaborated
verb
Core family
elaboration
noun B2
elaborately
adverb
Advanced or less common
elaborative
adjective
Expressions
elaborate on
1/ɪlˈæbɚˌeɪt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Give more details about something
To talk or write more about something so it is clearer or more complete.
Examples
- Could you elaborate on your proposal for the project?
- The author elaborates on this idea in the next chapter.