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

All businesses today are in the midst of unprecedented change, with new opportunities abounding from instant global communication and new technologies such as artificial intelligence and electric vehicles. —Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Thoughtful touches abound with an extensive selection of bathroom amenities that run the gamut from body scrubs and bug-repellent lotion to hair-drying wraps and wood-and-sponge back scrubbers. —Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2024

From $398 per night. BOOK NOW South End Stunner in Boston, Massachusetts Charm abounds in this one-bedroom brownstone that’s half a block from Restaurant Row. —Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2024

But beforehand, drinks, photo ops, and rave reviews of the night’s decadent meal abounded inside the storied NYC restaurant. —Leah Faye Cooper, Vogue, 17 Oct. 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