fulsome

[fool-suhm, fuhl-]

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.

fulsome

/ 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

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• fulsomely adverb
• fulsomeness noun
• unfulsome adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulsome¹

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

Example Sentences

When Netanyahu asked to meet him in the Oval Office at the White House, he forced him to ring the Qatari prime minister to make a fulsome apology.

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But it was far from a fulsome apology.

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Trump’s and Musk’s attempts to disassemble the federal government are supported only by Republicans, but even their support is not fulsome across the board.

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And I love black on black, and I wanted to do a fulsome look that was really reminiscent of Beyoncé.

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"I think a more fulsome reflection on the mistake that they've made, if it indeed is a mistake, I think is necessary."

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