Lexical Elaboration

A text adaptation technique that makes content more accessible by adding explanatory information for complex or unfamiliar words, rather than replacing or removing them. Unlike text simplification, which rewrites content using simpler language, lexical elaboration preserves the original text and supplements it with definitions, synonyms, or contextual explanations. This approach supports both comprehension and vocabulary acquisition, as readers encounter the original terminology alongside accessible alternatives. In digital accessibility, lexical elaboration can be implemented through interactive features such as tooltips or pop-ups that reveal simpler synonyms or definitions when users click on highlighted complex words.