Basic Details
Word: Elaboration
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The adding of more detail to an idea, plan or answer; also something made with a lot of careful detail.
Synonyms: explanation, expansion, detail, development
Antonyms: simplification, summary
How to Spell Elaboration
Syllables: e - lab - o - ra - tion
Tricky part: There is one l and one b, and the vowel after b is o (elaberation is wrong). The end is ration, as in oration.
Watch out for: ellaboration, elaberation, elobaration, elaboraton
Memory tip: Find a lab and a speech inside it: e + lab + oration. An oration with every detail worked out in a lab is an elaboration.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The teacher asked for some elaboration on my answer about the water cycle.
Example 2: Without further elaboration, the principal announced that school would close early.
Example 3: The dancer's costume showed a great deal of elaboration, with mirrors sewn into every fold.
Fun Fact
The word goes back to Latin elaborare, to work out, from labor, work. That same labor gives English labour and laboratory.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to elaboration as used in the sentence:
The judge asked the witness for elaboration on what she had seen from her balcony that night.
a) apology
b) silence
c) summary
d) explanation
Show answer
d) explanation. Elaboration means giving more detail, which is what an explanation does; a summary cuts detail out.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
elabboration
a) l
b) b
c) a
d) o
Show answer
b) b. Lab has one b, and so does elaboration.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Your essay has good ideas, but each point needs more naoaobitrle.
a) elaboration
b) collaboration
c) celebration
d) laboratory
Show answer
a) elaboration. The eleven letters make elaboration; collaboration needs a c and a second l, and laboratory a y.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Asking 'Could you elaborate?' is asking someone to ____.
a) speak louder
b) stop talking
c) sit down
d) give more details
Show answer
d) give more details
2. A speech full of elaboration is likely to be ____.
a) silent
b) long and detailed
c) sung
d) only one line
Show answer
b) long and detailed
