WordWeb Online

1. Marked by complexity and richness of detail
   "an elaborate lace pattern";
   - luxuriant
    
2. Developed or executed with care and in minute detail
   "the elaborate register of the inhabitants prevented tax evasion";
   - detailed, elaborated

1. Describe and explain in detail
   "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation";
   - lucubrate [archaic], expatiate, exposit, enlarge, flesh out, expand, expound, dilate
    
2. Produce from basic elements or sources; change into a more developed product
   "The bee elaborates honey"
    
3. Make more complex, intricate, or rich
   "elaborate a design or pattern";
   - complicate, refine, rarify [rare], rarefy
    
4. Work out in detail
   "elaborate a plan";
   - work out

Derived forms: elaborated, elaborating, elaborates

See also: careful, fancy

Type of: alter, change, clarify, clear up, create, develop, elucidate, make, make grow, modify, produce

Antonym: foreshorten