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

Example Sentences

But even where it did get mentioned onstage, the deck was stacked against a fulsome geopolitical debate.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

“Paramount had a fulsome, 360-degree approach,” Miller said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

He said it was a "fairly fulsome apology and that's clearly the right thing to do".

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2025

On Monday, Summers issued a more fulsome apology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

She accepted it with fulsome thanks; it was lovely to behold, and all that burnished copper would flash prettily in the sun, though if actual battle threatened, she would sooner be clad in steel.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin