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

Red flag warnings abound; wildfires rage in North Carolina, Florida Wildfires burning on the East Coast caused closures and evacuations as officials on Friday issued red flag warnings amid a combination of high winds, low humidity and dry conditions. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

The 50 Best Spy Movies of All Time Secret identities, double-crossers, and evil supervillains abound. —Britina Cheng, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

Pennsylvania Dutch speakers, Eagles merch and on-location shots of iconic Philly landmarks abound. —Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

Opportunities abound for investors as the defense sector grows. —Lisya Bahar Manoah, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for abound

• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground
• foreground

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