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

• brim
• bristle
• bulge
• burst
• bustle
• buzz
• crawl
• hum
• overflow
• pullulate
• swarm
• teem

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

Tesla robotaxi finally launches, but hiccups abound After years of bold promises, Elon Musk’s company finally began ferrying passengers on their own without a human directly behind the wheel. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 22 June 2025

Intrigue figures to abound this preseason for the Ducks as Joel Quenneville, the coach behind the Chicago Blackhawks’ dynasty of the 2010s, takes the helm. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 20 June 2025

Plenty of questions abound for the Charlotte Hornets as they get set to reconstruct their roster. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025

Looking ahead to 2026: Iceland Bucket list locations abound across the path. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 June 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