effervescent
Americanadjective
-
effervescing; bubbling.
-
vivacious; merry; lively; sparkling.
- Synonyms:
- lighthearted, enthusiastic, ebullient, animated
adjective
-
(of a liquid) giving off bubbles of gas; bubbling
-
high-spirited; vivacious
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of effervescent
First recorded in 1675–85; from Latin effervēscent- (stem of effervēscēns ), present participle of effervēscere to effervesce; see -ent
Explanation
Something effervescent has bubbles or froth, like a sparkling cider or a bubble bath. If you have a happy, light, cheerful personality — if you are "bubbly" — you too are effervescent. Coming from the Latin effervēscere, the original meaning was more boiling than bubbly, thanks to the ferv part, which means "hot." The word literally refers to bubbles giving off gas, and any drinks you enjoy that are nose-ticklingly effervescent make bubbles that pop and release into the air. Remember, someone with an effervescent personality is just bubbly, not full of gas!
Vocabulary lists containing effervescent
Words to Capture Your Joy
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Grade 10, List 2
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is the drink I want after a long afternoon spent outside: effervescent and bright, but with an undercurrent of smoke and brine.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
Mr. West is infamously unpredictable, and his effervescent, volatile persona is key to his selling out arenas in South Korea, Mexico and the U.S. well into his career.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
That approach translated to effervescent joy on the ice—and a gold medal.
From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026
She unveiled a revamped version of the Lady Gaga-inspired free skate she had shelved earlier this season, her effervescent performance giving her third place in the free skate and second overall on 228.91 points.
From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026
She wasn’t quite looking effervescent, though, if he had to be honest with himself.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
