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

English speakers have used effusive to describe excessive outpourings since the 17th century. Its oldest and still most common sense relates to the expression of abundant emotion or enthusiasm, but in the 1800s, geologists adopted a specific sense characterizing flowing lava, or 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

• emotional
• affectionate
• uninhibited
• demonstrative
• outgoing
• loving

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

Politicians and church leaders were effusive in their praise of her work, and Chicago papers gave extensive coverage as a real testament to her years of service to the church. —Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025

The Undertaker's Ultimate Endorsement While speaking with GUNTHER on the latest episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker was effusive in his praise. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025

Dolby Atmos was chosen for the audio, and his praise for this was effusive. —Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

In another Rolling Stone interview, Cruise was effusive in expressing his love for Rogers. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 30 July 2025

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