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

• 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

During the flight to the Netherlands, Mr. Trump posted an effusive note from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte congratulating him on his actions in Iran and on the new NATO defense spending levels. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 June 2025

That’s unlikely to change regardless of Haliburton’s health because his effusive, contagious personality even in the face of adversity will continue to be a key feature for Indiana. —Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025

The rides were made available to a select group of Tesla fans, according to Dan Ives, a tech analyst with Wedbush Securities and an effusive Tesla bull, and Joey Klender, who writes for the site Teslarati.com. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 23 June 2025

Speaking ahead of Haslem, Morris did not have to be as diplomatic and was effusive as the Heat being best for Durant, with the Suns believed to be working with Durant toward a mutually agreeable landing spot. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 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

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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