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

Behavioral-analysis claptrap abounds. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

Many have asked similar questions over the years, and wild theories abound. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

Violent videos abound on social media and in the news. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026

The tour will see Toliver crisscross North America, though rumors of a future European leg also abound. —Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 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