- the accepted or furthest limits of something
- beyond/outside/within the bounds of decency
- I am afraid your behaviour was beyond the bounds of decency.
- Public spending must be kept within reasonable bounds.
- It was not beyond the bounds of possibility that they would meet again one day.
- His enthusiasm knew no bounds (= was very great).
Idioms
See bounds in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionaryby/in leaps and bounds
- very quickly; in large amounts
- Her health has improved in leaps and bounds.
- His technique has come on in leaps and bounds this season.
out of bounds
- (in some sports) outside the area of play which is allowed
- His shot went out of bounds.
- (North American English) not reasonable or acceptable
- His demands were out of bounds.
out of bounds (to/for somebody)
- (especially British English) if a place is out of bounds, people are not allowed to go there see also off-limitsTopics Permission and obligationc2
Check pronunciation:
bounds