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 of abound

• 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

Advertisements abound on Chinese social media, where rates range from $29 to $88 for a three-hour session. — Huiyee Chiew and Lyric Li The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026

From a vegetarian white bean soup that comes together in 15 minutes to a classic vegetable and chick stew, your options abound. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 16 Sep. 2026

Questions abound as to how this would work, and neither Amazon nor the TV Academy has commented on the matter as of yet. — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

Curved edges abound for a tranquil atmosphere, from the neutral-toned guest rooms to the pan-Asian restaurant YAMA. — Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2026

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