abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

abounded; abounding; abounds

intransitive verb

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity : to be prevalent

a business in which opportunities abound

errors and inconsistencies abound

2

: to be copiously supplied

—used with in or with

… life abounded in mysteries …

—Norman Mailer

institutions abound with evidence of his success

—Johns Hopkins Magazine

Synonyms of abound

• burst
• buzz
• teem
• bulge

Examples of abound in a Sentence

They live in a region where oil abounds.

a city that abounds with art museums and private galleries

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, as the Fever and the WNBA as a whole will look toward 2027 with questions abound, as to whether Cunningham will be returning to the team, and what the new commissioner will mean for the league's culture and Clark's presence. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Challenges abound for growers in the United States, from rising costs to unpredictable weather, and mitigating those challenges is pivotal to the sector’s survival. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

But differences abound in defining parcel IDs, boundaries, legal descriptions and measurement conventions. — Pranit Banthia, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Corrections abounded; there was also the occasional word of (highly treasured) praise. — Lauren Weiner, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abounden, borrowed from Anglo-French abunder, borrowed from Latin abundāre "to overflow, be full, be plentifully supplied (with)," from ab- ab- + undāre "to rise in waves, surge, flood," verbal derivative of unda "wave" — more at water entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing abound

• abound in/with

Rhymes for abound

• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground
• foreground

Kids Definition

abound

verb

ə-ˈbau̇nd 

1

: to be present in large numbers or in great quantity

wildlife abounds

2

: to be filled or abundantly supplied

a stream abounding in fish