profusion

American  

[pruh-fyoo-zhuhn] / prəˈfju ʒən /

noun

profusions plural

1. abundance; abundant quantity.

   Synonyms:

   bounty, copiousness

   Antonyms:

   scarcity

2. a great quantity or amount (often followed byof ).

3. lavish spending; extravagance.

   Synonyms:

   waste, excess, profligacy, prodigality

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Synonym Usage

See plenty.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• profusions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of profusion

First recorded in 1535–45; rom Latin profūsiōn- (stem of profūsiō ) “a pouring out, extravagance,” originally, “libation”; see profuse, fusion

Explanation

If there's an abundance of something, you can say that there's a profusion of it. Hilarious and bizarre YouTube videos certainly exist in profusion. The noun profusion comes from a Latin word profusionem, meaning "a pouring out." So you can think of profusion as an outpouring of something — an overflow or cornucopia of it. An area known for wine making should have a profusion of grapes growing along the hillsides. And an awesome performance should garner a profusion of compliments and shouts of "encore!"

Example Sentences

Profusion is a characteristic of the American newspaper.

From Roving East and Roving West by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)

Profusion of wild flowers grow about and over it, and fig-trees and brambles make a thicket together on the slope that goes down to the water.

From With the World's Great Travellers, Volume 3 by Various

You plunder One, who entertain’d you with all the Pomp and Profusion in the World, to enrich a covetous, sordid Wretch, who treated you in the most unworthy Manner.

From Zadig Or, The Book of Fate by Voltaire

Profusion, even at a feast of the gods, would have no charms for her.

From The Earth Trembled by Roe, Edward Payson

Profusion of cakes, pancakes served with honey, fragrant fritters, cheese-cakes of sour milk and dates.

From Atlantida by Benôit, Pierre

Related Words

• glut
• outpouring