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

Though birds abound from the Panhandle down to Key West, years of large-scale agricultural development have given rise to threats like habitat fragmentation and pesticide runoff—but on the scenic shores of the Treasure Coast, Windsor is hard at work to combat this loss in biodiversity. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Good vibes abound — along with fire and broken glass. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 31 July 2025

Facelifts have come a long way from the startled, windswept looks that once abounded on Rodeo Drive. —Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025

May 10, 2025: Rumors abound as the Daily Mail cites unnamed sources who say Cruise’s Scientology beliefs are not a deal-breaker for de Armas, who was raised Catholic. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 30 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