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 byon ).

expound

/ ɪkˈspaʊnd /

verb

1. to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detail

   to expound on one's theories

   he expounded his reasoning

Other Word Forms

• expounder noun
• preexpound verb (used with object)
• unexpounded 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

The idea that voters would have taken her and the Tories more seriously if she’d started expounding her reform agenda sooner isn’t plausible.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since then, I’ve spent more than 40 years researching and expounding the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I'm extremely tired and I am irate that this word 'deliberate' keeps being expounded in this courtroom," she said.

Read more on BBC

But when topics turn elsewhere — their biggest Hollywood regrets, for example, or expounding on who should join them on the Mt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Civil War” was so politically neutered, with such wooden characters, that it completely missed an opportunity to expound on the growing tensions in this country or how to navigate them.

Read more on Salon

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.