elaborate

elaborate
elaborates, elaborating, elaborated
(The adjective is pronounced [[t]ɪlæ̱bərət[/t]]. The verb is pronounced [[t]ɪlæ̱bəreɪt[/t]].)
1) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use elaborate to describe something that is very complex because it has a lot of different parts.

...an elaborate research project.

...an elaborate ceremony that lasts for eight days.

Syn:
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Elaborate plans, systems, and procedures are complicated because they have been planned in very great detail, sometimes too much detail.

...elaborate efforts at the highest level to conceal the problem...

The company has worked out an elaborate management training scheme for graduates.

Syn:
Derived words:
elaborately ADV-GRADED

It was clearly an elaborately planned operation.

3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n Elaborate clothing or material is made with a lot of detailed artistic designs.

He is known for his elaborate costumes.

Derived words:
elaborately ADV-GRADED

...elaborately costumed dolls.

4) VERB If you elaborate a plan or theory, you develop it by making it more complicated and more effective.

[V n] His task was to elaborate policies which would make a market economy compatible with a clean environment.

[V n] ...the plan elaborated by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Derived words:
elaboration [[t]ɪlæ̱bəre͟ɪʃ(ə)n[/t]] N-UNCOUNT oft N of n

...the elaboration of specific policies and mechanisms.

5) VERB If you elaborate on something that has been said, you say more about it, or give more details.

[V on n] A spokesman declined to elaborate on a statement released late yesterday...

Would you care to elaborate?


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
, , , , / , , , , , (great), , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Elaborate — E*lab o*rate, a. [L. elaboratus, p. p. of elaborare to work out; e out + laborare to labor, labor labor. See {Labor}.] Wrought with labor; finished with great care; studied; executed with exactness or painstaking; as, an elaborate discourse; an… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Elaborate — E*lab o*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Elaborated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Elaborating}.] 1. To produce with labor [1913 Webster] They in full joy elaborate a sigh, Young. [1913 Webster] 2. To perfect with painstaking; to improve or refine with labor and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elaborate — [adj] intricate; involved busy, careful, complex, complicated, decorated, detailed, elegant, embellished, exact, extensive, extravagant, fancy, fussy, garnished, highly wrought, high tech*, imposing, knotty, labored, labyrinthine, luxurious, many …   New thesaurus

  • elaborate — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ involving many carefully arranged parts; detailed and complicated. ► VERB 1) develop or present in detail. 2) (elaborate on) add more detail to (something already said). DERIVATIVES elaborately adverb elaborateness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • elaborate — I adjective baroque, beautified, bedecked, complex, complicated, daedal, decorated, deluxe, detailed, developed minutely, done with thoroughness, elaboratus, embellished, executed with exactness, fancy, festooned, flamboyant, flashy, garnished,… …   Law dictionary

  • elaborate — vb *unfold, evolve, develop, perfect Analogous words: *expand, amplify, dilate: enlarge, augment (see INCREASE): heighten, enhance (see INTENSIFY) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • elaborate — [ē lab′ə rit, ilab′ər it; ] for v. [, ē lab′ə rit, i lab′ə rāt΄] adj. [L elaboratus, pp. of elaborare, to work out, labor greatly < e , out + laborare < labor, LABOR] 1. worked out carefully; developed in great detail 2. highly wrought or… …   English World dictionary

  • elaborate — 01. A Japanese wedding can be a fairly [elaborate] ceremony involving a number of different costume changes. 02. We made a really [elaborate] five course dinner for my grandfather s 100th birthday. 03. The student gave his teacher an [elaborate]… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • elaborate — I UK [ɪˈlæb(ə)rət] / US adjective ** very detailed and complicated The government s new healthcare plan is the most elaborate yet. a) used about something that is more complicated than is practical or necessary I took no notice of John s… …   English dictionary

  • elaborate — elaborately, adv. elaborateness, n. elaborative, adj. elaborator, n. adj. /i lab euhr it/; v. /i lab euh rayt /, adj., v., elaborated, elaborating. adj. 1. worked out with great care and nicety of detail; executed with great minuteness: elaborate …   Universalium

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