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 by on ).

expound

/ ɪkˈspaʊnd /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by on or about to explain or set forth (an argument, theory, etc) in detail

   he expounded his reasoning

   to expound on one's theories

Derived Forms

• exˈpounder, noun

Other Words From

• ex·pound·er noun
• pre·ex·pound verb (used with object)
• un·ex·pound·ed 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

Fox News host Maria Bartiromo set Trump up to expound on his campaign's ongoing smearing of immigrants.

From Salon

The next part of the exchange had Trump expound on his “very fine people on both sides” line that his defenders are today insisting he never said:

From Slate

I read up about the legal intricacies surrounding the case and, if called upon, I could expound on women’s rights and a legal system that is stacked against victims and the likelihood of getting a conviction of sexual assault.

From Slate

“I feel it here, but I don’t expound it from there.”

From Seattle Times

A curved index finger rises up from the rest like a speaker separating from a crowd and preparing to expound.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clarify
• delineate
• exemplify
• explain
• explicate
• express
• illustrate
• set forth
• spell out