fulsome

American  

[fool-suhm, fuhl-] / ˈfʊl səm, ˈfʌl- /

adjective

1. offensive to good taste, especially as being excessive; overdone or gross.

   fulsome praise that embarrassed her deeply; fulsome décor.

2. disgusting; sickening; repulsive.

   a table heaped with fulsome mounds of greasy foods.

3. excessively or insincerely lavish.

   fulsome admiration.

4. encompassing all aspects; comprehensive.

   a fulsome survey of the political situation in Central America.

5. abundant or copious.

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fulsome British  

/ ˈfʊlsəm /

adjective

1. excessive or insincere, esp in an offensive or distasteful way

   fulsome compliments

2. not_standard extremely complimentary

3. informal full, rich or abundant

   a fulsome figure

   a fulsome flavour

   fulsome detail

4. archaic disgusting; loathsome

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Sensitive Note

In the 13th century when it was first used, fulsome meant simply “abundant or copious.” It later developed additional senses of “offensive, gross” and “disgusting, sickening,” probably by association with foul, and still later a sense of excessiveness: a fulsome disease; a fulsome meal, replete with too much of everything. For some centuries fulsome was used exclusively, or nearly so, with these unfavorable meanings. Today, both fulsome and fulsomely are also used in senses closer to the original one: The sparse language of the new Prayer Book contrasts with the fulsome language of Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer. Later they discussed the topic more fulsomely. These uses are often criticized on the grounds that fulsome must always retain its connotations of “excessive” or “offensive.” The common phrase fulsome praise is thus sometimes ambiguous in modern use.

Usage

The use of fulsome to mean extremely complimentary or full, rich or abundant is common in journalism, but should be avoided in other kinds of writing

Other Word Forms

• fulsomely
  adverb
• fulsomeness
  noun
• unfulsome
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of fulsome

First recorded in 1200–50, fulsome is from the Middle English word fulsom. See full ¹, -some ¹

Explanation

Compliments usually make you feel pretty good, but fulsome compliments, which are exaggerated and usually insincere, may have the opposite effect. Hundreds of years ago fulsome used to mean "abundant," but now it's more often used to describe an ingratiating manner or an excess of flattery that might provoke an onlooker to mime gagging. If you find fulsome to be a rather clunky word, there are several fun (if vaguely stomach-churning) synonyms, including buttery, oily, oleaginous, and smarmy.

Example Sentences

Fulsome word-of-mouth and additional notes from visiting comedy legends — Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin — helped haul it on Broadway, where it was filmed for HBO.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2024

Fulsome praise, but what we see in the director Lisa Peterson’s production is a far cry from any of it.

From New York Times • Apr. 24, 2023

Fulsome praise: Israeli leaders welcomed Biden with enthusiasm.

From New York Times • Jul. 14, 2022

Fulsome not quite to a fault, he is quick to praise his callers for their humanity or bravery or rad chillness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2016

Fulsome flattery was the most lucrative production of the muse.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved