abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

abounded; abounding; abounds

intransitive verb

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : to be prevalent

a business in which opportunities abound

errors and inconsistencies abound

2

: to be copiously supplied

—used with in or with

life abounded in mysteries

—Norman Mailer

institutions abound with evidence of his success

—Johns Hopkins Magazine

Synonyms

• brim
• bristle
• bulge
• burst
• bustle
• buzz
• crawl
• hum
• overflow
• pullulate
• swarm
• teem

Examples of abound in a Sentence

They live in a region where oil abounds.

a city that abounds with art museums and private galleries

Recent Examples on the Web

Comebacks abound this season, from esteemed legends (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Milton Nascimento among them) to the cults of Dirty Three, Los Campesinos!, and the Jesus Lizard—plus a new Jamie xx record. —Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 20 June 2024

Optimism abounded, though it was tempered by uncertainty. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2024

In fact, the cinematic music video sets the 10-piece K-pop boy group right in the middle of an apocalyptic universe, thunderous clouds and barren wastelands abound. —Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024

But policymakers and… Once Were Warriors As the Colombian government sits down with FARC for formal peace negotiations this month, reports about the talks abound. —Christine Balling, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abounden, borrowed from Anglo-French abunder, borrowed from Latin abundāre "to overflow, be full, be plentifully supplied (with)," from ab- ab- + undāre "to rise in waves, surge, flood," verbal derivative of unda "wave" — more at water entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abound

• abound in/with

Kids Definition

abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity

wildlife abounds

2

: to be filled or abundantly supplied

a stream abounding in fish