[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/elaborate/)

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# elaborate

adjective (elaborate, more elaborate) — pronounced ih-LAB-er-it; verb (elaborate, elaborates, elaborated, elaborating) — pronounced ih-LAB-er-ate

«elaborate» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (adjective) Having many parts or details; carefully planned and complicated: «an elaborate costume». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#m1)
2. (verb) To give more details or explain more: «Can you elaborate on your answer?» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#m2)
3. (verb, formal) To develop a plan or idea in detail. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#m3)

### In the lessons

In English lessons: teachers ask pupils to elaborate — add detail and examples to answers. In art and design: elaborate patterns, costumes, cakes. In stories: an elaborate plan or trick. Phrases: «elaborate on», «an elaborate plan», «elaborate decorations».

### Examples

- The princess wore an elaborate gown with gold stitching. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x1)
- Can you elaborate on why you think the character is sad? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x2)
- The thieves made an elaborate plan to steal the jewels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x3)
- Grandma baked an elaborate three-layer cake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x4)
- The cathedral has elaborate carvings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x5)
- "Please elaborate," said the teacher, "your answer is too short." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x6)
- The magician's trick was very elaborate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x7)
- It is a trifle too elaborate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/#x8)

### Note

The adjective and verb are spelled the same but sound different (adjective ends «-it», verb ends «-ate»). Verb takes «on»: «elaborate on something». Noun: «elaboration». Opposite of the adjective: «simple», «plain».

## In Jewish tradition

In English lessons: teachers ask pupils to elaborate — add detail and examples to answers. In art and design: elaborate patterns, costumes, cakes. In stories: an elaborate plan or trick. Phrases: «elaborate on», «an elaborate plan», «elaborate decorations».

### Examples

- But the time of its composition and the name of its author have not yet been ascertained, despite of the most elaborate researches of renowned archaeologists. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elaborate/#x1)

### Note

The adjective and verb are spelled the same but sound different (adjective ends «-it», verb ends «-ate»). Verb takes «on»: «elaborate on something». Noun: «elaboration». Opposite of the adjective: «simple», «plain».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «elaborate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/elaborate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«elaborate» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/elaborate.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «elaborate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/E/elaborate/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«elaborate» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/elaborate.html) on Mova free.