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Definition of elaborative

elaborative

/ɪˈlæb.ə.ɹə.tɪv/
e · lab · o · ra · tive
Adverb:elaboratively
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elaborative Lexical Profile

elaborative Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Serving or tending to elaborate, expand upon, or add clarifying detail to a concept, statement, or memory.

Example

"The professor used elaborative questioning to help students connect the new historical material to what they had already learned."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for elaborative
Antonyms
View all antonyms for elaborative

Word Nuance & Usage

Unlike 'elaborate', which describes something that is already intricate or detailed, 'elaborative' specifically refers to the process or function of expanding upon and adding detail to an idea (frequently used in cognitive psychology, as in 'elaborative rehearsal').

• Rhymes for elaborative

• Nearby Words

elaborately
elaborateness
elaboration
elaborative
elaborator
elaenia
elakala

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century from the stem of Latin elaboratus (past participle of elaborare, meaning 'to work out' or 'take pains with') combined with the English suffix -ive.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Elaborative. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/elaborative
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