Effusive

/ɪˈfjuːsɪv/ · adjective

Meaning

Gushy; unrestrained, extravagant or excessive (in emotional expression)..

Definitions by Sense

1. Gushy; unrestrained, extravagant or excessive (in emotional expression).
2. (archaic) Pouring, spilling out freely; overflowing.
3. (geology, of igneous rock) Extrusive; having solidified after being poured out as molten lava.

Example Sentences

effusive praise

All week I’ve found myself doing everything I can to distance myself in the crew’s eyes from the bovine herd I’m part of, to somehow unimplicate myself: I eschew cameras and sunglasses and pastel Caribbeanwear; I make a big deal of carrying my own cafeteria tray and am effusive in my thanks for the slightest service.

While he is reasonably effusive about inter-city travel, he is heavily disparaging of all types of stopping service, including those on otherwise busy main lines. His analysis is not entirely unsound, and he tackles some of the questions head on.

[US president Donald] Trump has developed a warm relationship with [NATO Secretary-General Mark] Rutte, who courted the president at last June’s NATO summit with effusive flattery and commitments to boosting European members’ “fair share” of alliance spending.

wash'd with the effusive wave

Synonyms for effusive

Antonyms for effusive

Related Words

Word Forms

• more effusive
• most effusive

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions