expound

[ ik-spound ]

verb (used with object)

1. to set forth or state in detail:

   to expound theories.

2. to explain; interpret.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a detailed statement (often followed by on ).

expound

/ ɪkˈspaʊnd /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by on or about to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detail

   he expounded his reasoning

   to expound on one's theories

Derived Forms

• exˈpounder, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pound·er noun
• pre·ex·pound verb (used with object)
• un·ex·pound·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expound¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English expounen, expounden, from Old French espondre, from Latin expōnere “to put out, set forth, explain,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + pōnere “to put”

Word History and Origins

Origin of expound¹

C13: from Old French espondre, from Latin expōnere to set forth, from pōnere to put

Example Sentences

Driving with one hand on the steering wheel in order to leave the other free to punctuate his stream-of–consciousness musings, Bottura expounds on his theory of culture with the depth of an obsessive and the breadth of an omnivore.

From Time

So I expounded on how 50,000 years ago, a glacier had bulldozed across the state, depositing granite boulders atop limestone shelves.

From Popular-Science

I was going to expound on this today, but Josh Barro's got it covered.

From The Daily Beast

The spring collection was intended to expound on the female body, sensuality and skin--but not nudity.

From The Daily Beast

Why, in an otherwise tough interview, he didn't ask Netanyahu to expound the distinction is beyond me.

From The Daily Beast

He recognized me from TV, and began to expound his political opinions.

From The Daily Beast

The compulsion to expound on the grips of passion is timeless, it would seem.

From The Daily Beast

We will not attempt, within the compass of a few short chapters, to expound continuously its wonderful text.

From Project Gutenberg

In the terms of the petition the lecturer was to expound the Commedia for the benefit of "etiam non grammatici."

From Project Gutenberg

At first, he did not attempt to annoy her; but, in time, some one was found cruel enough to expound to him the English common law.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is a craven apology if we stoop to expound: we are seen as pleading our case before the public.

From Project Gutenberg

To understand and expound them not for scholars but for the people, calls for a combination of gifts bestowed upon very few.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clarify
• delineate
• exemplify
• explain
• explicate
• express
• illustrate
• set forth
• spell out

When To Use

What are other ways to say expound?

To expound something is to set it forth or state it in detail. How does expound differ from elucidate, explain, and interpret? Find out on Thesaurus.com.