effusive

[ih-fyoo-siv]

adjective

1. unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve.

   effusive greetings; an effusive person.

2. pouring out; overflowing.

3. Geology.,  extrusive.

effusive

/ ɪˈfjuːsɪv /

adjective

1. extravagantly demonstrative of emotion; gushing

2. (of rock) formed by the solidification of magma

Other Word Forms

• effusively adverb
• effusiveness noun
• noneffusive adjective
• noneffusively adverb
• noneffusiveness noun
• overeffusive adjective
• overeffusively adverb
• overeffusiveness noun
• uneffusive adjective
• uneffusively adverb
• uneffusiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of effusive¹

First recorded in 1655–65; effuse + -ive

Example Sentences

When asked if her defuser tendencies stem from her place in the sibling birth order, it’s the only point in the conversation in which she’s not effusive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the other extreme, the magnificently effusive Sergiu Celibidache once recorded a 99-minute performance of the symphony with the Munich Philharmonic making Bruckner sound as infinite as the universe: There’s nothing like that.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To persuade Viking to publish the book, Cowley manufactured marketing buzz by writing a series of effusive essays that placed Faulkner within a lineage of American classics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A few times on this tour people have been thrown out for being too effusive—not by my asking, but because people around them have been annoyed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Beijing was less effusive, saying the two side had reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues" during the leaders' first face-to-face meeting in six years.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• demonstrative 
• ebullient 
• enthusiastic 
• expansive 
• extravagant 
• exuberant 
• lavish 
• talkative