expound

[ ik-spound ]

/ ɪkˈspaʊnd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expound ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to set forth or state in detail: to expound theories.

to explain; interpret.

verb (used without object)

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

Nearby words

Origin of expound

1250–1300; Middle English expounen, expounden < Old French espondre < Latin expōnere to put out, set forth, explain, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + pōnere to put

Related formsex·pound·er, nounpre·ex·pound, verb (used with object)un·ex·pound·ed, adjective

Synonym study

2. See explain.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expound

I was going to expound on this today, but Josh Barro's got it covered.
Romney's Tax Plan Still Doesn't Work|Justin Green|October 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The spring collection was intended to expound on the female body, sensuality and skin--but not nudity.
Louis Vuitton, Chanel, McQueen Cap Paris Spring 2013 Fashion Week Shows|Robin Givhan|October 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Why, in an otherwise tough interview, he didn't ask Netanyahu to expound the distinction is beyond me.
Obama Already Has A Red Line|Ali Gharib|September 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He recognized me from TV, and began to expound his political opinions.
The Sex Lives of Cab Drivers|David Frum|June 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The compulsion to expound on the grips of passion is timeless, it would seem.
‘Love Letters’ Anthologizes 2,000 Years of Passion Put to Paper|Sarah Stodola|February 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He went so far as to sketch for Franco the outlines of a letter to his wife, with a list of the arguments he must expound.
The Patriot|Antonio Fogazzaro
Its true meaning is indicated by that of its root, darash,54 to study, to expound.
Jewish Literature and Other Essays|Gustav Karpeles
Among the first was that of Bologna, where Pepo began to expound the law in 1075.
Cathedral Cities of Italy|William Wiehe Collins
The French author makes dame Pinte, the hen, expound the dream to her husband and warn him of the danger which lies before him.
Chaucer and His Times|Grace E. Hadow
Purvey says, "Men might expound much openlier and shortlier the Bible than the old doctors have expounded it in Latin."
Early Theories of Translation|Flora Ross Amos

British Dictionary definitions for expound

expound

/ (ɪkˈspaʊnd) /

verb

(when intr, foll by on or about) to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detailto expound on one's theories; he expounded his reasoning

Derived Formsexpounder, noun

Word Origin for expound

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for expound

expound

c.1300, from Old French espondre "expound (on), set forth, explain," from Latin exponere "put forth, explain, expose, exhibit," from ex- "forth" (see ex-) + ponere "to put, place" (see position); with intrusive -d (cf. sound (n.1)). The usual Middle English form was expoune. Related: Expounded; expounding.