elaborate

Everyday

1. (adjective) Having many parts or details; carefully planned and complicated: «an elaborate costume». tree →
2. (verb) To give more details or explain more: «Can you elaborate on your answer?» tree →
3. (verb, formal) To develop a plan or idea in detail. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons: teachers ask pupils to elaborate — add detail and examples to answers. In art and design: elaborate patterns, costumes, cakes. In stories: an elaborate plan or trick. Phrases: «elaborate on», «an elaborate plan», «elaborate decorations».

Examples

• The princess wore an elaborate gown with gold stitching. tree →
• Can you elaborate on why you think the character is sad? tree →
• The thieves made an elaborate plan to steal the jewels. tree →
• Grandma baked an elaborate three-layer cake. tree →
• The cathedral has elaborate carvings. tree →
• "Please elaborate," said the teacher, "your answer is too short." tree →
• The magician's trick was very elaborate. tree →
• It is a trifle too elaborate. tree →

Note

The adjective and verb are spelled the same but sound different (adjective ends «-it», verb ends «-ate»). Verb takes «on»: «elaborate on something». Noun: «elaboration». Opposite of the adjective: «simple», «plain».

In Jewish tradition

In English lessons: teachers ask pupils to elaborate — add detail and examples to answers. In art and design: elaborate patterns, costumes, cakes. In stories: an elaborate plan or trick. Phrases: «elaborate on», «an elaborate plan», «elaborate decorations».

Examples

• But the time of its composition and the name of its author have not yet been ascertained, despite of the most elaborate researches of renowned archaeologists. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

The adjective and verb are spelled the same but sound different (adjective ends «-it», verb ends «-ate»). Verb takes «on»: «elaborate on something». Noun: «elaboration». Opposite of the adjective: «simple», «plain».