effusive

adjective

ef·​fu·​sive i-ˈfyü-siv How to pronounce effusive (audio)
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

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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."

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 Fassbender was equally as effusive about working with Vikander. Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 7 Nov. 2023 During a confirmation hearing last week, members of the council were effusive in their praise for Thompson, who is a Baltimore native, a military veteran and an attorney with experience in private practice. Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024 Paranoid and living his life in as much privacy as possible, the film's ending is an incredible feat of powerful acting — and a generous reminder that Hackman never lost a step in his effusive career. Eric Farwell, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023 Publicly, Reid was effusive last week in his praise for the Raiders’ practice facility, where the Chiefs had workouts ahead of the Super Bowl. Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2024 Instead of roaring from a conical mountain, effusive fountains of crimson lava bled upward from this schism. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024 Some of these officials have been effusive in their praise of their government benefactors. Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2024 Related Stories Cook and Silver, in a joint interview shortly after the demo, were effusive about the potential of the device to transform not just how people watch sports, but all entertainment content. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2024 Others were less effusive about the implications of the association. Daphné Anglès, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'effusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of effusive was circa 1687

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Dictionary Entries Near effusive

Cite this Entry

“Effusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effusive. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

effusive

adjective
ef·​fu·​sive i-ˈfyü-siv How to pronounce effusive (audio)
e-,
-ziv
: expressing or showing much emotion
effusive thanks for their anniversary present
effusively adverb
effusiveness noun

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