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

Bobs, lobs, and blunt mid-lengths abound in the city. —Monica Ainley, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024

Cold brews, popular at the original Gideon’s, abound here, as well. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, chaos abounds as the team wrangles an escaped turkey, fails to book a real reindeer, and tackles a fan who storms the set. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Wildlife abounds in the hills around Mammoth, from deer and javelinas to hummingbirds and Gila monsters, one of which showed up right in their home’s interior courtyard. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 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