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

Chaos continues to abound in college football this season. —Dane Brugler, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

Because, obviously, spoilers abound. —Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025

The pieces extending the collection kept spotlighting the boldness of gold and playing with talismans centered on key themes of the brand, such as the evil eye symbol abounding on necklaces and minimal earrings and rings nodding to the shape of the snake. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025

Upscale touches abound in the shareable steakhouse-style sides, from the Champagne-Battered Onion Rings ($18) to the Black Truffle Macaroni Gratinee ($21). —Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 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