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Expatiate vs Elaborate - What's the difference?

expatiate | elaborate |

As verbs the difference between expatiate and elaborate

is that expatiate is to range at large, or without restraint while elaborate is (used with on when used with an object) To give further detail or explanation (about).

As an adjective elaborate is

highly complex, detailed, or sophisticated.

expatiate

English

Verb

(expatiat)
  • To range at large, or without restraint.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • Bids his free soul expatiate in the skies.
  • To write or speak at length; to be copious in argument or discussion, to descant.
  • *1851 ,
    • Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.
  • * Addison
    • He expatiated on the inconveniences of trade.
  • * 2007 , Clive James, Cultural Amnesia (Picador 2007, p. 847)
  • *:“It can't fly,” he expatiated . “It can move forward only by hopping.”
  • (obsolete) To expand; to spread; to extend; to diffuse; to broaden.

    • elaborate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Highly complex, detailed, or sophisticated.
  • :
  • Intricate, fancy, flashy, or showy.
  • :
  • *
  • *:The house was a big elaborate limestone affair, evidently new. Winter sunshine sparkled on lace-hung casement, on glass marquise, and the burnished bronze foliations of grille and door.

    • Verb

    (elaborat)
  • (used with'' on ''when used with an object ) To give further detail or explanation (about).
    • What do you mean you didn't come home last night? Would you care to elaborate ?
    Could you elaborate on the plot for your novel for me?