profusely

American  

[pruh-fyoos-lee, proh‐] / prəˈfyus li, proʊ‐ /

adverb

1. to a great or excessive extent; abundantly or extravagantly.

   Every inch of wall surface both inside and outside of the temple is profusely decorated with exquisite images of flora and fauna.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unprofusely
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of profusely

profuse ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Profusely is another way of saying "excessively." If you sweat profusely whenever your crush walks into a room, you might reconsider your ban on deodorant before asking him out. Profuse is an adjective meaning, basically, "a lot." Add the -ly and there's the adverb profusely, used to describe something that's giving off a lot — of blood, sweat, and tears for example. You might bleed profusely after you cut your thumb and cry profusely when your sweetie doesn't even offer you a Band-Aid. Other words with similar meanings include abundantly, extravagantly, lavishly, and richly. The French author Francois de la Rochefoucauld said, “Nothing is given so profusely as advice.”

Example Sentences

Profusely thankful for making it to this day, Strawberry said his upbringing led to his life’s struggles.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Profusely adorned, it featured a music box that played “Yankee Doodle” and it was accompanied by a letter from a Bingham descendant, describing the significance of the piece to the family.

From New York Times • Mar. 11, 2018

Profusely illustrated with color photographs and specially prepared maps and charts, the book is also a visual delight.

From Time Magazine Archive

For, while the bashful sylvan maid, As half-ashamed and half-afraid, Approaching finds it hard to part With that which dwelt so near her heart; The courtly dame, unmoved by fear, Profusely pours her offering here.

From The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 2 by Browning, William Ernst

Profusely illustrated with Portraits, Scenes of Events, and Landscape Views, relating to the great Orator and the other noted persons of his time and career.

From A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. Rarey's Art of Taming Horses With the Substance of the Lectures at the Round House, and Additional Chapters on Horsemanship and Hunting, for the Young and Timid by Rarey, J. S. (John Solomon)

Related Words

• lavishly