MEANING
To present and explain an idea, argument, or system at some length.
Use it for
Words that belong together
- expound a theory
- expound on a subject
- expound a doctrine
On the page
He expounded his theory of loyalty while quietly arranging his own escape.
The guide expounded on the shrine's history until the lantern oil ran low.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- expound
- Past tense
- expounded
- Past participle
- expounded
- Present participle
- expounding
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- expound
- Present continuous
- am/is/are expounding
- Present perfect
- have/has expounded
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been expounding
- Past
- expounded
- Past continuous
- was/were expounding
- Past perfect
- had expounded
- Past perfect continuous
- had been expounding
- Future
- will expound
- Future continuous
- will be expounding
- Future perfect
- will have expounded
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been expounding
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Usage notes
Primary category: literary. Forms: expound; expounds; expounded; expounded; expounding Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Third-person singular: expounds.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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