effusive

adjective

ef·​fu·​sive i-ˈfyü-siv 

e-,

-ziv

1

: marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm

effusive praise

2

archaic : pouring freely

3

: characterized or formed by a nonexplosive outpouring of lava

effusive rocks

effusively adverb

effusiveness noun

Did you know?

Effusive History Is Overflowing

We've used effusive in English to describe excessive outpourings since the 17th century. In the 1800s, geologists adopted the specific sense related to flowing lava—or to hardened rock formed from flowing lava. Effusive can be traced, via the Medieval Latin adjective effūsīvus ("generating profusely, lavish"), to the Latin verb effundere ("to pour out"), which itself comes from fundere ("to pour") plus a modification of the prefix ex- ("out"). Our verb effuse has the same Latin ancestors. A person effuses when speaking effusively. Liquids can effuse as well, as in "water effusing from a pipe."

Synonyms

• demonstrative
• emotional
• touchy-feely
• uninhibited
• unreserved
• unrestrained

Examples of effusive in a Sentence

They offered effusive thanks for our help.

often effusive no matter what the occasion, they are even more so at weddings and funerals

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, the critical response, from the glossies to the gay zines, the art magazines to the NPR affiliates, was formidable and mostly positive, if not effusive. —Ira Silverberg, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

Growing into his voice As effusive as Kmet’s praise for Williams is, Moore’s sentiments have been a touch harder to interpret. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 26 Oct. 2024

In a talented quartet of sophomore receivers, Lemon opened the season with perhaps the least effusive expectations. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024

At the same time, any bumps in the crew’s five-decade journey are gilded over with effusive but apparently earnest nostalgia; an in-depth excavation or an exhaustive accounting, this is not. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin effūsīvus "generating profusely, lavish," from Latin effūsus (past participle of effundere "to pour out, discharge, expend") + -īvus -ive — more at effuse entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1687, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

effusive

adjective

ef·​fu·​sive i-ˈfyü-siv 

e-,

-ziv

: expressing or showing much emotion

effusive thanks for their anniversary present

effusively adverb

effusiveness noun