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

Stories about Burrows and his contributions to various shows abound, too many to list in a simple tribute. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026

Digital shortcuts abound; tech really is for everything. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 June 2026

Activities abound, from an on-site sailing school and nightly bonfires to lawn games, a seasonal kids’ club, a summer roller rink and winter ice rink, and yoga on the beach. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Skepticism abounded among allies, officials, and executives over the details and durability of the US truce with Iran. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 16 June 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