gush

[guhsh]

verb (used without object)

1. to flow out or issue suddenly, copiously, or forcibly, as a fluid from confinement.

   Water gushed from the broken pipe.

   Synonyms: flood, stream, pour

2. to express oneself extravagantly or emotionally; talk effusively.

   She gushed with pride over her new grandchild.

3. to have a sudden, copious flow, as of blood or tears.

verb (used with object)

1. to emit suddenly, forcibly, or copiously.

   Synonyms: spurt

noun

1. a sudden, copious outflow of a fluid.

2. the fluid emitted.

3. effusive and often insincere language or behavior.

gush

/ ɡʌʃ /

verb

1. to pour out or cause to pour out suddenly and profusely, usually with a rushing sound

2. to act or utter in an overeffusive, affected, or sentimental manner

noun

1. a sudden copious flow or emission, esp of liquid

2. something that flows out or is emitted

3. an extravagant and insincere expression of admiration, sentiment, etc

Other Word Forms

• gushingly adverb
• gushing adjective
• outgush verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of gush¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; probably of expressive origin; gust ¹, rush ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gush¹

C14: probably of imitative origin; compare Old Norse gjósa, Icelandic gusa

Synonym Study

See flow.

Example Sentences

He gushed about her “strong parenting and motherhood and female life element,” portraying her as reaching “younger religious women” with content about “sunscreen and parenting styles and the secret to fixing your period.”

Read more on Salon

It’s a fascinating profile, but we really don’t need any of these details any more than we need New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi gushing about her inappropriate personal relationship with Kennedy.

Read more on Salon

When owners gushed that their Frenchies and pugs resembled human babies, I took offense on behalf of all parents.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In addition, as homes burned, water gushed from their damaged pipes, contributing to the loss of pressure.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Toilets lacked basic items such as soap, while water gushing from the faucets was tinged brown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cascade 
• flush 
• pour 
• spew 
• spout 

When To Use

What does gush mean?

To gush is to flow forcefully and rapidly. Water gushes out of a firehose. Gush can also be used as a noun referring to such a flow.Gush also commonly means to talk about a particular thing in an emotional, enthusiastic, unreserved way. When used this way, it is often phrased as gush about or gush over.Example: I’m sorry to keep gushing about my baby cousin, but she’s just so adorable!