WordGarden.ioelaboration
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪlˌæbərˈeɪʃən/
US
- /ɪˌlæbərˈeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the act of explaining or developing something in more detail
a detailed, complicated, or ornate development of something
in learning or psychology, adding meaningful connections to information to understand or remember it
Beyond the definition
Think of building with LEGO bricks. You start with the basic shape, but elaboration is what happens when you add the windows, the doors, and the little figures that make it feel complete. It means taking an idea and adding more detail so it becomes clearer and more useful. A simple statement often needs elaboration before it can become a convincing argument. If your friend tells you they saw a "cool car," you might ask for elaboration: what made it cool? What kind was it?
Elaboration isn't just about adding more words; it's about helping someone understand better. A chef doesn't just say, "I added spice"; they give elaboration: "I used smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne." Sometimes, too much elaboration can feel overwhelming, like a story that keeps wandering off track. But used well, it brings clarity and makes an idea stronger.
Elaboration refers to the act of adding detail, expanding on an idea, or providing more information to make something clearer, fuller, or more convincing. It's about going beyond the basic outline and filling in the gaps with specifics. For example, stating that "the artist added layers of color and texture through careful elaboration" means they meticulously developed their artwork with intricate details rather than leaving it as a simple sketch.
Elaboration is crucial in many contexts. In writing, it's essential for developing strong arguments and supporting claims with evidence. A simple statement like "Exercise is good" requires elaboration to be truly persuasive: "Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases."
In conversation, asking for elaboration means you want someone to explain their thoughts more fully. "Could you elaborate on that point?" invites them to provide further details or examples. It's a polite way of saying, "I need more information!"
The word comes from the Latin elaborare, meaning "to work out carefully." This hints at the effort and attention involved in elaboration—it's not just about adding more, but about adding thoughtfully and purposefully. Sometimes, however, excessive elaboration can lead to rambling or unnecessary complexity.
Whether you're crafting a persuasive essay, explaining a complex concept, or simply telling a story, elaboration is the art of enriching understanding through purposeful detail and expansion.
Examples
- 1
Report writing
The report is well organized, but the conclusion needs more elaboration.
- 2
Workplace policy
When she mentioned a "new policy," several people asked for elaboration.
- 3
Planning details
His elaboration on the timeline made the plan much easier to follow.
- Patternelaboration on + subject
extra detail about that subject
- 4
Official statement
The director said the project was delayed, but offered no further elaboration.
- Phrasefurther elaboration
more explanation
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Adaptation
The movie is really an elaboration of the short story it was based on.
- Patternan elaboration of + source
a fuller, more developed version of it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- further elaboration
- without elaboration
- elaboration of an idea
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- elaborationnoun
Forms
- elaborationspluralnoun