abound

[uh-bound]

verb (used without object)

1. to occur or exist in great quantities or numbers.

   a stream in which trout abound.

2. to be rich or well supplied (usually followed byin ).

   The region abounds in coal.

3. to be filled; teem (usually followed bywith ).

   The ship abounds with rats.

abound

/ əˈbaʊnd /

verb

1. to exist or occur in abundance; be plentiful

   a swamp in which snakes abound

2. to be plentifully supplied (with); teem (with)

   the gardens abound with flowers

   the fields abound in corn

Other Word Forms

• aboundingly adverb
• overabound verb (used without object)
• well-abounding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abound¹

1325–75; Middle English abounden < Latin abundāre to overflow, equivalent to ab- ab- + undāre to move in waves; undulate

Word History and Origins

Origin of abound¹

C14: via Old French from Latin abundāre to overflow, from undāre to flow, from unda wave

Example Sentences

New and old risks abound, from elevated and rising government debt, historically elevated equity values and paper wealth creation, and the uncertainty emanating from tumultuous domestic and international politics.

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“Concerns around the story abound which we believe are overblown,” he wrote.

Read more on MarketWatch

William H. Herndon, Lincoln’s future law partner and biographer, said “it was highly sophomoric in character and abounded in striking and lofty metaphor . . . the thing people expect from a young man.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

While Friday’s moves were muted, new highs have abounded.

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As authors, poets and hopeful writers filtered out into the crisp night, conversations abounded about what was next.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flourish 
• proliferate 
• thrive