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 of effusive

• 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

The president has been nothing short of effusive in his praise for Rubio in the process. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

Leonard was equally effusive about Painter. —Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2026

Let’s save the dwelling on the negative for small groups, like Emma and Mark being British effusive in a room with more guilt than Saddam Hussein’s summer retreat. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

But local officials are effusive in their praise, saying a delay will avert potential chaos. —CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

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

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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