Skip to main content
effusive

effusive

8 7.6
Showing strong warm feelings openly and without holding back
  • adjective
  • /ɪˈfjuːsɪv/
translation icon : efusivo
  • They're so effusive and they're so friendly.
  • effusive praise

One of his colleagues where he works was really effusive in praising him.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • On this occasion, a spate of effusive words gushed from her lips.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The majority of visitors' book comments were effusive and congratulatory.

    Academic text (1997)
  • When you start to be more effusive and generous, all that stuff just comes down.

  • And that was his effusive way of expressing that without any intention for commitment.

  • One of his colleagues where he works was really effusive in praising him.

  • He was very effusive with his praise.

  • Lady Jocelyn was effusive in her praise of the Earl's house.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Hank Dawson, flushed and effusive, reminded me I was booked again for next week's game.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Lacey was not prepared for Isabelle Waring's effusive, if nervous, greeting.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • After receiving the award, she was effusive in her thanks to everyone who supported her.

Synonyms

emotional
vseffusive
535 2.1

Showing strong feelings that are easy to see

involves more outward, unrestrained expression rather than simple susceptibility
passionate
vseffusive
329 2.8

Having very strong feelings about something

is more about unrestrained or excessive outward display of feeling
ardent
vseffusive
38 6.3

Feeling very strong excitement or love for something

leans more toward unrestrained outward expression rather than steady passion
impassioned
vseffusive
30 5.8

Being full of strong feelings that show in words or actions

is less about intensity and more about unrestrained, excessive feeling
extravagant
vseffusive
26 6.0

Very strong and not controlled when showing feelings or actions

focuses specifically on unrestrained emotional or heartfelt expression
vehement
vseffusive
  • Formal
11 7.7

Showing very strong feeling that is hard to ignore

is more about open, excessive warmth rather than sheer forcefulness
emotive
vseffusive
10 6.0

Causes strong feelings, often sadness or joy

is a specific case of arousing emotion that is unrestrained and excessive
maudlin
vseffusive
8 8.0

Too emotional in a way that seems silly or not sincere

can be excessive without the same sense of insincere sentimentality
gushy
vseffusive
6 7.0

Showing too much emotion in a way that feels silly

is similarly unrestrained but can be more sincere and broad
ebullient
vseffusive
5 8.2

Very lively and full of energy

is more about heartfelt emotional outpouring than general joyful energy
overemotional
vseffusive
3 5.0

Showing too much feeling for the situation

is excessive too but usually as open, heartfelt expression rather than pathology
soppy
vseffusive
  • UK
1 5.8

Too emotional and sentimental in a way that seems silly

can be excessive too but is often more heartfelt than foolishly sentimental
hyperemotional
vseffusive
1 7.9

Showing very strong feelings that change quickly and seem too much

is excessive in expression but not necessarily unstable or exaggerated mentally
overexuberant
vseffusive
1 7.5

Being very lively or excited in a way that feels too much

relates to emotion excess but focuses more on energetic liveliness
gushing
vseffusive
6.6

Giving praise in a way that sounds too excited and not honest

is heartfelt and excessive but not limited to praise
feelingful
vseffusive
7.2

Showing strong emotion that moves people

tends to emphasise an unrestrained and excessive outward display
supersentimental
vseffusive
8.9

Showing too much emotion in a way that seems exaggerated

shares excessiveness but stresses heartfelt feeling rather than only sentimentality

Antonyms

34 6.3

Not friendly and distant, not joining in with other people

11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Expressive

gushing
6.6
effusive
8 7.6
expressive
41 3.4
warm
280 1.0
reserved
3.7

Surface Forms

effusive positive
effusiver comparative
effusivest superlative

Morphology

effusive = fuse (opaque) = ef + fus + ive

The prefix 'ef-' and root 'fus' do not transparently convey the modern meaning of 'effusive'.

Etymology

Effusive comes from Latin parts ex- 'out' and fundere 'to pour'. So an effusive person 'pours out' their feelings like water from a cup, and that is why the word means showing strong, open feelings.