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
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
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Grade 10, List 2
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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.
Unless you are one of the elite, effervescent few who have never experienced unrequited interest, dating requires a certain level of bravery.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026
His pop acumen is prevalent on “Let’s Get Married,” an effervescent midtempo number with a sticky chorus.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
The story also left its mark on Rhys Ifans, who plays a schoolteacher who, unlike the effervescent Emma, keeps his diagnosis hidden.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
He is, after all, famously still babyfaced at 66, a physical spriteliness mirrored in his bright visual aesthetics and effervescent directorial tone.
From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2026
Despite her hunger and blisters from hard work, she was effervescent.
From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys
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.
