profuse

[pruh-fyoos]

See more synonyms for profuse on Thesaurus.com

adjective

spending or giving freely and in large amount, often to excess; extravagant (often followed by in): profuse praise.
made or done freely and abundantly: profuse apologies.
abundant; in great amount.

Origin of profuse

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin profūsus, past participle of profundere to pour out or forth. See pro-¹, fuse²

Related formspro·fuse·ly, adverbpro·fuse·ness, nounun·pro·fuse, adjectiveun·pro·fuse·ly, adverbun·pro·fuse·ness, noun

Synonym study

1. See lavish. 3. See ample.

Antonyms for profuse

1. thrifty.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for profusely

lavishly, abundantly, copiously, amply, richly

Examples from the Web for profusely

Contemporary Examples of profusely

They thanked him profusely for his public service, apologized for Republican hectoring, and complained about decorum.
House Republicans Take on John Koskinen: Scenes From an IRS Sideshow
Tim Mak
June 24, 2014
Then, of course, there was the time he was allegedly spotted sleeping during a Springsteen show, which he profusely denied.
Best Lines From the GOP Convention: Christie, McCain & More (Videos)
Caitlin Dickson, Laura Colarusso
August 31, 2012
This time, he profusely apologized to his staff, and more important, to his wife.
Weiner Should’ve Taken the Letterman Approach
Tricia Romano
June 13, 2011
They have all been significant, though none has been as profusely emotional as the first.
Iraq's Political Miracle
Tunku Varadarajan
March 3, 2010

Historical Examples of profusely

It was profusely strewed with the plunder of that unlucky fortress.
The Last of the Mohicans
James Fenimore Cooper
And then these extra prayers were printed so prettily, they rhymed so profusely.
Dreamers of the Ghetto
I. Zangwill
In the evening I perspired so profusely that my bed had to be changed.
The Memoires of Casanova, Complete
Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
It is profusely and beautifully illustrated; a handsome volume.
No Animal Food
Rupert H. Wheldon
The book is profusely illustrated by Charles Copeland and other artists.
Wood Folk at School
William J. Long

British Dictionary definitions for profusely

profuse

adjective

plentiful, copious, or abundantprofuse compliments
(often foll by in) free or generous in the giving (of)profuse in thanks

Derived Formsprofusely, adverbprofuseness or profusion, noun

Word Origin for profuse

C15: from Latin profundere to pour lavishly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for profusely

profuse

adj.

early 15c., "lavish, extravagant," from Latin profusus "spread out, lavish, extravagant," literally "poured forth," noun use of past participle of profundere "pour forth," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + fundere "to pour" (see found (v.2)). Meaning "bountiful" is from c.1600. Related: Profusely; profuseness.