abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

abounded; abounding; abounds

intransitive verb

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : to be prevalent

a business in which opportunities abound

errors and inconsistencies abound

2

: to be copiously supplied

—used with in or with

life abounded in mysteries

—Norman Mailer

institutions abound with evidence of his success

—Johns Hopkins Magazine

Synonyms

• burst
• buzz
• teem
• bulge

Examples of abound in a Sentence

They live in a region where oil abounds.

a city that abounds with art museums and private galleries

Recent Examples on the Web

High jinks and life lessons abound in the show, just like its predecessor. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 8 July 2025

Fast forward to today, and this eco-tour adventure abounds around the world, although Costa Rica remains one of the most exceptional places to zip-line. —AFAR Media, 8 July 2025

Similar clauses likely abound in church and seminary bequests nationwide. —The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025

Wider merger courtships still abound as cash-flush European banks hunt to achieve the scale of their U.S. peers, driving up the shares of many in the process. —Jenni Reid,ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abounden, borrowed from Anglo-French abunder, borrowed from Latin abundāre "to overflow, be full, be plentifully supplied (with)," from ab- ab- + undāre "to rise in waves, surge, flood," verbal derivative of unda "wave" — more at water entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abound

• abound in/with

Rhymes for abound

• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground
• foreground

Kids Definition

abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity

wildlife abounds

2

: to be filled or abundantly supplied

a stream abounding in fish