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

If confusion abounds on whether Hatchie is an artist or an act, Pilbeam is happy to clear it up. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025

Inconsistencies abound on all sides of this tale. —Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

And in many countries, including Brazil, access to clean energy and bio-economy solutions—think of biofuels—means chances abound to invest in decarbonization today. —Time, 7 Nov. 2025

In the holiday apartment of Rosita Missoni, the late founder of the fashion brand Missoni, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, such fungal figures abound. —Laura May Todd, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 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