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elaborado

eh-lah-boh-RAH-doh/elaβoˈɾaðo/

“elaborado” means “elaborate” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

elaborate, sophisticated

Also: detailed, thought-out
An intricate, hand-carved wooden jewelry box with swirling patterns and gold inlay.

📝 In Action

El arquitecto presentó un plano muy elaborado para el nuevo edificio.

B2

The architect presented a very elaborate plan for the new building.

Sus teorías son demasiado elaboradas para una explicación rápida.

C1

His theories are too sophisticated for a quick explanation.

Ella dio una respuesta elaborada y llena de detalles.

B2

She gave a detailed and thorough answer.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • diseño elaborado – elaborate design
  • plan elaborado – well-thought-out plan
  • discurso elaborado – sophisticated speech

processed, manufactured

Also: prepared
A loaf of sliced bread and a jar of fruit jam on a table.

📝 In Action

Es mejor comer frutas frescas que productos elaborados.

B1

It's better to eat fresh fruit than processed products.

Este queso está elaborado artesanalmente.

B2

This cheese is produced in a traditional, handmade way.

Los alimentos altamente elaborados suelen tener mucha sal.

B1

Highly processed foods usually have a lot of salt.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • procesado (processed)
  • fabricado (manufactured)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • producto elaborado – processed product
  • artesanalmente elaborado – handcrafted / traditionally made

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: elaborado

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence refers to food that has been manufactured?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
elaborar(to produce/develop) — Verb
elaboración(production/preparation) — Noun
elaboradamente(elaborately) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'elaboratus,' which comes from 'labor' (work). It literally means 'something produced through work.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: elaborateFrench: élaboré

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'elaborado' the same as 'procesado'?

In the context of food, yes, they are very similar. However, 'elaborado' often sounds a bit more positive or neutral, while 'procesado' can sometimes have a negative health connotation.

Can I use 'elaborado' to describe a person?

Not usually. If you call a person 'elaborado', it sounds like they were manufactured in a lab! To describe someone who is detailed or careful, use 'detallista'.

How do I say 'very elaborate'?

You can say 'muy elaborado' or use the suffix '-ísimo' to say 'elaboradísimo' for extra emphasis.