elaborate

[ adjective ih-lab-er-it; verb ih-lab-uh-reyt ]
/ adjective ɪˈlæb ər ɪt; verb ɪˈlæb əˌreɪt /

adjective

worked out with great care and nicety of detail; executed with great minuteness: elaborate preparations; elaborate care.
marked by intricate and often excessive detail; complicated; ornate.

verb (used with object), e·lab·o·rat·ed, e·lab·o·rat·ing.

verb (used without object), e·lab·o·rat·ed, e·lab·o·rat·ing.

to add details in writing, speaking, etc.; give additional or fuller treatment (usually followed by on or upon): to elaborate upon a theme or an idea.

Origin of elaborate

1575–85; < Latin ēlabōrātus (past participle of ēlabōrāre) worked out, equivalent to ē- e-1 + labōr- work + -ātus -ate1

synonym study for elaborate

2. Elaborate, labored, studied apply to that which is worked out in great detail. That which is elaborate is characterized by great, sometimes even excessive, minuteness of detail: elaborate preparations for a banquet. That which is labored is marked by excessive, often forced or uninspired, effort: a labored style of writing. That which is studied is accomplished with care and deliberation, and is done purposely, sometimes even having been rehearsed: a studied pose.

OTHER WORDS FROM elaborate

Example sentences from the Web for elaborate

British Dictionary definitions for elaborate

elaborate

adjective (ɪˈlæbərɪt)

planned or executed with care and exactness; detailed
marked by complexity, ornateness, or detail

verb (ɪˈlæbəˌreɪt)

Derived forms of elaborate

Word Origin for elaborate

C16: from Latin ēlabōrāre to take pains, from labōrāre to toil