Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for fulsome

fulsome

[ fool-suhm, fuhl- ]

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.


fulsome

/ 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

    fulsome detail

    a fulsome flavour

    a fulsome figure

  4. archaic.
    disgusting; loathsome


Discover More

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.

Discover More

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

Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈfulsomely, adverb
  • ˈfulsomeness, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • fulsome·ly adverb
  • fulsome·ness noun
  • un·fulsome adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulsome1

First recorded in 1200–50, fulsome is from the Middle English word fulsom. See full 1, -some 1

Discover More

Example Sentences

They’re booking appointments for a more fulsome shopping experience.

From Time

The difference is like getting two recommended doses of coronavirus vaccines instead of one — the additional mask offers more fulsome protection against the virus.

When she wrote to some American stars the response was less fulsome.

Whatever fulsome cliché of brilliance you want to attach to Hoffman is merited.

This occurs even as they proclaim their fulsome concern for “future generations.”

Clemmons was fulsome in his praise for Jews who have taken up residence on territory that Israel captured from Jordan in 1967.

Rather, he sees her fulsome interest in sex as a small rebellion against the fundamentalist world that she was born into.

The critics were fulsome in their praise and the public was lavish with its plaudits, but I was abjectly miserable.

I remember the fuss they made about it in the society papers—fulsome, sickenin' sort of hog-wash they wrote.

Then at last the eunuch spoke, his imperturbable smile swelling to a fulsome grin.

Do they not bring moral discredit on a great creed, and tend to reduce it to the low level of mere and fulsome cant?

Many letters were filled with fulsome praise and compliment, usually of one pattern.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


fulminousFulton