profusely
Americanadverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of profusely
Explanation
Profusely is another way of saying "excessively." If you sweat profusely whenever your crush walks into a room, you might reconsider your ban on deodorant before asking him out. Profuse is an adjective meaning, basically, "a lot." Add the -ly and there's the adverb profusely, used to describe something that's giving off a lot — of blood, sweat, and tears for example. You might bleed profusely after you cut your thumb and cry profusely when your sweetie doesn't even offer you a Band-Aid. Other words with similar meanings include abundantly, extravagantly, lavishly, and richly. The French author Francois de la Rochefoucauld said, “Nothing is given so profusely as advice.”
Vocabulary lists containing profusely
"The Lottery," Vocabulary from the short story
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Unbroken
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Gruffydd Williams said: "The council should apologise profusely... for the losses they have caused by presenting defective papers to the cabinet."
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Alary is back at work, has apologized to Macgregor and has thanked Phillips profusely for helping set him on the right path.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
They may not have reached a deal, but both thanked their hosts profusely -- especially Field Marshal Munir.
From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026
A few months before, RM apologised profusely after his own honest livestream about the anxiety of reuniting and returning to the stage.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026
As in: JB gets all nervous and sweats profusely every time Miss Sweet Tea walks into a room.
From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
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.
