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

Byrne smiled through tears in an acceptance speech that included effusive praise for writer-director Mary Bronstein, who cast her as the very stressed-out mother in the psychological comedy-drama. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

The likes of Mayer, Trey Anastasio, Warren Haynes, and Billy Strings were all effusive in their praise, as a quick perusal of social media will attest. —Alan Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026

Last season, the Vikings quarterbacks were effusive in their praise of Udinski and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026

After effusive visitor feedback, Shaw has permitted the Art Institute to hang onto the work through November 15, nearly a year longer than planned. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 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