abound
Americanverb (used without object)
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to occur or exist in great quantities or numbers.
a stream in which trout abound.
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to be rich or well supplied (usually followed byin ).
The region abounds in coal.
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to be filled; teem (usually followed bywith ).
The ship abounds with rats.
verb
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to exist or occur in abundance; be plentiful
a swamp in which snakes abound
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to be plentifully supplied (with); teem (with)
the gardens abound with flowers
the fields abound in corn
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have aboundedperfect
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has aboundedperfect 3rd person singular
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am aboundingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been aboundingperfect progressive
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has been aboundingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are aboundingprogressive
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is aboundingprogressive 3rd person singular
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aboundingparticiple
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aboundssingular 3rd person
Past
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had aboundedperfect
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was aboundingprogressive singular
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had been aboundingperfect progressive
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were aboundingprogressive plural
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aboundedsimple
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aboundedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of abound
1325–75; Middle English abounden < Latin abundāre to overflow, equivalent to ab- ab- + undāre to move in waves; see undulate
Explanation
When things abound, there are a lot of them. In spring, birds, flowers, rain, and frisbees abound. This word has to do with an abundance of something. In cities like Buffalo, NY, snow abounds. In very hot weather, insects and suntan lotion abound. Dogs are happy at the park when squirrels abound — meaning there are a lot of squirrels. On the moon, rocks abound, but that's about it.
Vocabulary lists containing abound
Island of the Blue Dolphins
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Much Ado: Synonyms for "Many"
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Out of My Mind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stories Abound Many theories have been floated over the years for how the moniker came into use.
From Time • Jan. 12, 2017
But it was hardly the only flameout: The valley’s venture capitalists backed a disappointing array of energy start-ups, including battery makers A123 and Ener1, Fisker Automotive, and Abound Solar, a maker of thin-film solar panels.
From New York Times • Feb. 9, 2015
Abound 60 jobs will remain at the Milford Haven site.
From BBC • Nov. 6, 2014
Energy Conversion replaced Morelli with, Julian Hawkins, a former senior vice president at Abound Solar Inc. “There are a lot of folks who became disillusioned,” Fust said.
From BusinessWeek • Feb. 13, 2012
My lady's eyes Ensphere the skies, Abound in lovely mysteries: Behind their bars Are pent the stars, Warm Venus' glow, the shafts of Mars.
From Double Trouble Or, Every Hero His Own Villain by Lowell, Orson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
