elaboration

/ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · [ɪlˌæbɚˈeʃən] /ɪˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa)

elaboration — noun

  • elaborationsingular
  • elaborationsplural

1. extra detail or explanation added so something already said becomes clearer.

1.名詞C1
釋義

extra detail or explanation added so something already said becomes clearer.

例句

The professor asked for elaboration on Wei's final point.

ask for elaboration on + point

After Dahlia stopped, the host invited elaboration about the flight delay.

invite elaboration about + topic

同義詞
  • explanation

    broader and often used when you make a reason clear

  • clarification

    stresses removing confusion or correcting a point

  • expansion

    can mean making a text or idea longer, not only clearer

反義詞
  • summary

    gives the main points briefly instead of adding detail

  • outline

    keeps to the basic shape without fuller explanation

文法句型

ask for + elaboration + on/about + point/topic

give/offer + elaboration

用法筆記

Often follows verbs such as 'ask for', 'invite', or 'offer' and is common when people discuss speech, writing, or evidence. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense adds explanation to something already presented, rather than developing a plan or design step by step.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher asked elaboration.
✅The teacher asked for elaboration.
💡this noun normally follows 'ask for', not 'ask' directly.

2. the process of making a plan, idea, or piece of work more detailed and complete,

2.名詞C1
釋義

the process of making a plan, idea, or piece of work more detailed and complete, or the fuller form produced by that work.

例句

Careful elaboration of the rescue plan helped the crew stay calm.

elaboration of + plan

Weeks of elaboration turned the sketch into a usable shop design.

weeks of elaboration turned + draft + into + result

同義詞
  • development

    broader and can describe growth without added fine detail

  • refinement

    stresses improving or polishing something already formed

  • working out

    informal phrase for developing a plan in detail

反義詞
  • simplification

    reduces complexity instead of adding detail

  • reduction

    cuts something down rather than developing it further

文法句型

elaboration of + plan/design/idea

careful elaboration

elaboration + turned + sketch/idea + into + result

用法筆記

Usually appears with 'of' plus a plan, design, idea, or project, and it focuses on gradual working out in detail. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about building something up, not simply adding a clearer explanation after speaking or writing.