elab·o·rate
i-ˈla-b(ə-)rət 
1
: planned or carried out with great care
took elaborate precautions
2
: marked by complexity, fullness of detail, or ornateness
elaborate prose
elaborately
adverb
elaborateness
noun
elab·o·rate
i-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt
elaborated; elaborating
1
: to expand something in detail
would you care to elaborate on that statement
2
: to become elaborate (see elaborate entry 1)
1
: to work out in detail : develop
elaborate a theory
2
: to produce by labor
3
: to build up (something, such as complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
Synonyms
Examples of elaborate in a Sentence
Adjective
Jumping spiders, the largest family of spiders, have excellent eyesight and perform elaborate courtship and threat displays, often characterized by ritualized body postures and leg waving.
—
Simon Pollard, Natural History, March 1995
Mostly, I think, because it's wicked hot today, I've been having elaborate fantasies about the perfect hot-weather lunch: two dozen freshly opened Little Necks and a couple bottles of ice-cold lager. None of that red "cocktail" sauce on 'em either, just lemon and coarse black pepper.
—Vladimir Estragon, Waiting for Dessert, 1982
On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
They made elaborate preparations for his visit.
I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan.
The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes.
He told the story in elaborate detail.
Verb
… the National Weather Service … advised all citizens in New Orleans's water-filled neighborhoods "to take the necessary tools for survival." The Weather Service elaborated: "Those going into attics should try to take an axe or hatchet with them so they can cut their way onto the roof to avoid drowning should rising flood waters continue to rise into the attic."
—Christopher Cooper & Robert Block, Diaster, 2006
In each evening's sleep sustained dream scenarios, elaborated over periods lasting up to an hour, alternate with thought-like mentation in 90-minute-cycles.
—Jeffrey Saver, London Review of Books, 4 Aug. 1988
I'll be glad to elaborate if you want to hear more.
She was asked to say more about her earlier statements, but she declined to elaborate.
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Simon Pollard, Natural History, March 1995
Mostly, I think, because it's wicked hot today, I've been having elaborate fantasies about the perfect hot-weather lunch: two dozen freshly opened Little Necks and a couple bottles of ice-cold lager. None of that red "cocktail" sauce on 'em either, just lemon and coarse black pepper.
—Vladimir Estragon, Waiting for Dessert, 1982
On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.
—Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
They made elaborate preparations for his visit.
I see now that her behavior was all part of an elaborate plan.
The dancers were wearing elaborate costumes.
He told the story in elaborate detail.
Verb
… the National Weather Service … advised all citizens in New Orleans's water-filled neighborhoods "to take the necessary tools for survival." The Weather Service elaborated: "Those going into attics should try to take an axe or hatchet with them so they can cut their way onto the roof to avoid drowning should rising flood waters continue to rise into the attic."
—Christopher Cooper & Robert Block, Diaster, 2006
In each evening's sleep sustained dream scenarios, elaborated over periods lasting up to an hour, alternate with thought-like mentation in 90-minute-cycles.
—Jeffrey Saver, London Review of Books, 4 Aug. 1988
I'll be glad to elaborate if you want to hear more.
She was asked to say more about her earlier statements, but she declined to elaborate.
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Recent Examples on the WebElaine Sciolino, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023
The elaborate process can take up to 48 hours, with much waiting and dough-babysitting in between.
—Daniela Cintron, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Biles and Owens — who got engaged in Feb. 2022 after meeting on the Raya dating app in March 2020 — exchanged vows in a courthouse wedding in April this year, just one month before tying the knot again in an elaborate destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Inside, the place is awash with tons of head-turning period details like soaring high ceilings with elaborate cornices, decorative wall and ceiling paneling, picture rails, parquet wood flooring, and ornate fireplaces.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023
The concert film/documentary chronicles the tour’s elaborate, all-hands-on-deck production and crucial performances, while glimpses of Beyoncé’s experiences as a mother, professional, and cultural powerhouse are interwoven throughout the 3-hour film.
—Jaelani Turner-Williams, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Police would later release a more elaborate sketch.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2023
When there’s a state dinner at the White House, clients come in for a midweek manicure with elaborate updos and professional makeup.
—Mekita Rivas, Allure, 17 Nov. 2023
The couple recently got legally married at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse in Houston in April, just one month before tying the knot again in an elaborate ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
The document features five canons of conduct for justices on and off the court, including recusal standards, and a commentary elaborating on the code.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
The book is not an economic treatise, so the authors don’t elaborate on exactly how these policies will translate into robust productivity growth.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 9 Nov. 2023
And, while some other reactor designs are being considered for separate projects, none have cleared the hurdle of approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Correction: elaborated the status of the project's utility partners.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023
While the Department of Motor Vehicles didn’t elaborate on specific reasons for its suspension of Cruise’s license, the agency accused Cruise of misrepresenting safety information about the autonomous technology in its vehicles.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2023
The reality star has spoken plenty about her kids since welcoming her first child, Mason, on Dec. 14, 2009, and has elaborated on her process of co-parenting with Disick.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023
Asked whether the matter was a personal issue or related to City Hall, officials refused to elaborate.
—Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2023
Moscow, however, remained open to negotiations about the war in Ukraine if the conditions were right, Shoigu said, without elaborating.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2023
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Adjective
Around town he’s known as a master who can carve the most elaborate details into stone.
—Elaine Sciolino, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023
The elaborate process can take up to 48 hours, with much waiting and dough-babysitting in between.
—Daniela Cintron, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
Biles and Owens — who got engaged in Feb. 2022 after meeting on the Raya dating app in March 2020 — exchanged vows in a courthouse wedding in April this year, just one month before tying the knot again in an elaborate destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
—Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
Inside, the place is awash with tons of head-turning period details like soaring high ceilings with elaborate cornices, decorative wall and ceiling paneling, picture rails, parquet wood flooring, and ornate fireplaces.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023
The concert film/documentary chronicles the tour’s elaborate, all-hands-on-deck production and crucial performances, while glimpses of Beyoncé’s experiences as a mother, professional, and cultural powerhouse are interwoven throughout the 3-hour film.
—Jaelani Turner-Williams, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2023
Police would later release a more elaborate sketch.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2023
When there’s a state dinner at the White House, clients come in for a midweek manicure with elaborate updos and professional makeup.
—Mekita Rivas, Allure, 17 Nov. 2023
The couple recently got legally married at the 1910 Harris County Courthouse in Houston in April, just one month before tying the knot again in an elaborate ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023
Verb
The songstress elaborated on her decision to stay close to home in a recent interview with Country Living.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
The document features five canons of conduct for justices on and off the court, including recusal standards, and a commentary elaborating on the code.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Nov. 2023
The book is not an economic treatise, so the authors don’t elaborate on exactly how these policies will translate into robust productivity growth.
—Heather Wilhelm, National Review, 9 Nov. 2023
And, while some other reactor designs are being considered for separate projects, none have cleared the hurdle of approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Correction: elaborated the status of the project's utility partners.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 8 Nov. 2023
While the Department of Motor Vehicles didn’t elaborate on specific reasons for its suspension of Cruise’s license, the agency accused Cruise of misrepresenting safety information about the autonomous technology in its vehicles.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2023
The reality star has spoken plenty about her kids since welcoming her first child, Mason, on Dec. 14, 2009, and has elaborated on her process of co-parenting with Disick.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 3 Nov. 2023
Asked whether the matter was a personal issue or related to City Hall, officials refused to elaborate.
—Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2023
Moscow, however, remained open to negotiations about the war in Ukraine if the conditions were right, Shoigu said, without elaborating.
—Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'elaborate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Verb
Latin elaboratus, from past participle of elaborare to work out, acquire by labor, from e- + laborare to work — more at laboratory
First Known Use
Adjective
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near elaborate
Cite this Entry
“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elaborate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
elaborate
1 of 2 adjective
elab·o·rate
i-ˈlab-(ə-)rət
: made or done with great care or with much detail
elaborate plans
an elaborate design
elaborately
adverb
elaborateness
noun
elaborate
2 of 2 verb
elab·o·rate
i-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt
elaborated; elaborating
1
: to work out in detail : develop
elaborate an idea
2
: to give more details
elaborate on a story
Medical Definition
elaborate
transitive verb
elab·o·rate
i-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt
elaborated; elaborating
of a living organism
: to alter the chemical makeup of (as a foodstuff) to one more suited to bodily needs (as of assimilation or excretion)
especially
: to build up (complex organic compounds) from simple ingredients
the toxin elaborated by the tetanus bacterium
More from Merriam-Webster on elaborate
Nglish: Translation of elaborate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of elaborate for Arabic Speakers
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