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

And the heat stack is still being built and opportunities abound. — Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Individual errors and legacy-challenging performances abounded throughout a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 that leaves the USMNT in a sad and strange position coming out of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. — Nbc News, NBC news, 7 July 2026

Seasonal produce abounds, and it was all made even tastier with a jar of fresh toum from Obour Foods, which added garlicky zest to meals for days after a recent visit. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

At Disneyland this summer, entertainment abounds, including fan-favorite Paint The Night and the awe-inducing World of Color Happiness. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 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