Word
elaborate
Phoneticselab·o·rate
/ɪˈɫæbɝˌeɪt/
Definitions
01complex and detailed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having many parts or small details; often very carefully planned.
adj. marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornate design.
Español:elaborado
“The dancers wore elaborate costumes with thousands of tiny silk flowers.”
“The cathedral's elaborate ceiling took over a decade to complete, featuring hundreds of unique hand-painted figures and gold leaf accents.”
02to give more detail
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to explain something more fully or add more information to a story.
v. to expand on a subject by providing additional details or explanation. Often used intransitively with the preposition 'on'.
“The manager asked her to elaborate on her plans for the new project.”
“During the press conference, the spokesperson refused to elaborate on the specific security measures being implemented for the summit.”
Usage
Commonly used in the pattern 'elaborate on something'.
03to develop a system
C1 · Advanced Academic
v. to work out or create something in a very detailed way.
v. to produce or develop something through intensive effort and attention to detail.
“Scientists have spent years trying to elaborate a theory that explains these results.”
“The research team sought to elaborate a more sophisticated model for predicting urban growth patterns over the next fifty years.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “elaborate” in context.
Verb
01. elaborate further
“When asked about his future plans, the CEO declined to elaborate further.”
verb + adv
02. elaborate on the details
“The spokesperson refused to elaborate on the details of the merger until the contract was signed.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
03. elaborate costume
“She spent months sewing an elaborate costume for the annual carnival.”
adj + noun
04. elaborate hoax
“The viral video turned out to be an elaborate hoax designed to promote a new horror movie.”
adj + noun
05. elaborate scheme
“The hackers devised an elaborate scheme to bypass the bank's security protocols.”
adj + noun
06. highly elaborate
“The cathedral is famous for its highly elaborate stone carvings and stained glass windows.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. elaborate set of rules
“The board game features an elaborate set of rules that takes hours to master.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“The government at the time orchestrated an elaborate coverup, attempting to place blame for the attack solely on the criminal gang and local police.” “The second chapter, The Solarists, is an elaborate imaginary history of scientific debates about this organism, which resembles a “syrupy jelly”.” “You can hear all about the elaborate scheme to protect the President here .” “The American Ukrainian citizen “was uncomfortable for the Putin regime”, Tusk said in a news conference, without elaborating.” Etymology
1575, from Late Latin ēlabōrātus (“worked out”), past participle of ēlabōrō (“to work out”), from ē- (“out, forth, fully”) + labor (“work, toil, exertion”). More at e-, labour.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/elaborate
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0