profuse
Americanadjective
-
spending or giving freely and in large amount, often to excess; extravagant (often followed byin ).
profuse praise.
- Antonyms:
- thrifty
-
made or done freely and abundantly.
profuse apologies.
-
abundant; in great amount.
adjective
-
plentiful, copious, or abundant
profuse compliments
-
(often foll by in) free or generous in the giving (of)
profuse in thanks
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of profuse
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin profūsus, past participle of profundere “to pour out or forth”; see pro- 1, fuse 2
Explanation
Profuse is a word for a lot of something or even way too much — a profuse rainfall is a serious amount of rain. This word has to do with extravagance or abundance. If you're bleeding profusely, you're bleeding a lot. If you lavish profuse gifts on your pet, you might have too much money on your hands. When you give someone profuse praise, you're probably laying it on a little thick. If you’re a farmer and your crops are profuse, that’s great because you have a lot of crops. Anything profuse is happening in great amounts.
Vocabulary lists containing profuse
Paradise Lost
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An Essay on Criticism
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Orlando: A Biography
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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.
Profuse sweating often accompanies myocardial infarctions, the doctor told him.
From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2023
Profuse and genuine greenery sprouted out of giant crocks in the hallways.
From The New Yorker • Oct. 14, 2013
Profuse with C scrolls and S curves, rococo has often been labeled an interior decorator's art.
From Time Magazine Archive
Profuse engraving, gold and silver or contrasting wood inlays, carving, and elaborate checkering patterns were yours for the asking.
From Time Magazine Archive
Profuse sweats during a soporose state, bull� and gangrenous spots, obstruction of the bronchia with mucus or serum, pneumonia or pericarditis,—these are all grave indications.
From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various
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.
