fulsome

adjective

ful·​some ˈfu̇l-səm 

1

a

: characterized by abundance : copious

describes in fulsome detail

—G. N. Shuster

fulsome bird life. The feeder overcrowded

—Maxine Kumin

b

: generous in amount, extent, or spirit

the passengers were fulsome in praise of the plane's crew

—Don Oliver

a fulsome victory for the far left

—Bruce Rothwell

the greetings have been fulsome, the farewells tender

—Simon Gray

c

: being full and well developed

she was in generally fulsome, limpid voice

—Thor Eckert, Jr.

2

: aesthetically, morally, or generally offensive

fulsome lies and nauseous flattery

—William Congreve

the devil take thee for a … fulsome rogue

—George Villiers

3

: exceeding the bounds of good taste : overdone

the fulsome chromium glitter of the escalators dominating the central hall

—Lewis Mumford

4

: excessively complimentary or flattering : effusive

an admiration whose extent I did not express, lest I be thought fulsome

—A. J. Liebling

fulsomely adverb

fulsomeness noun

Using Fulsome: Usage Guide

The senses shown above are the chief living senses of fulsome. Sense 2, which was a generalized term of disparagement in the late 17th century, is the least common of these. Fulsome became a point of dispute when sense 1, thought to be obsolete in the 19th century, began to be revived in the 20th. The dispute was exacerbated by the fact that the large dictionaries of the first half of the century missed the beginnings of the revival. Sense 1 has not only been revived but has spread in its application and continues to do so. The chief danger for the user of fulsome is ambiguity. Unless the context is made very clear, the reader or hearer cannot be sure whether such an expression as "fulsome praise" is meant in sense 1b or in sense 4.

Did you know?

You Don't Need to Get Negative About Fulsome

In the 19th century, fulsome was mostly a literary term used disapprovingly to describe excessive, insincere praise and flattery. This meaning is still current, but since the early 20th century fulsome has been increasingly used with far more positive meanings, among them “abundant, copious” and “full and well developed.” The result is some amount of confusion: a phrase like “fulsome praise” used today without clarifying context may rightly be understood to mean either “abundant praise” or “excessive and obsequious praise.” While some critics object to the pleasanter meanings of fulsome, they are in fact true to the word’s origins: when it was first used in the 14th century fulsome meant “abundant, copious.”

Synonyms

• adulatory
• gushing
• gushy
• hagiographic
• hagiographical
• oily
• oleaginous
• soapy
• unctuous

Examples of fulsome in a Sentence

the player's fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team

grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team

Recent Examples on the Web

Immersing myself in that history not only inspired in me greater compassion for people from different backgrounds, with different histories, but also gave me a more fulsome understanding of the origins of our nation’s racial and social fissures. —Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

The result is a sound that offers the best of both worlds with the dynamic driver producing a rich and fulsome sound with warmth and plenty of low end. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Assessing the state of the war three years in, a new Harris administration could determine that more fulsome support for the Ukrainian military effort is necessary to exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and bring the conflict to an end. —Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2024

Working with the insurance brokers and the risk managers and legal or other teams involved in assisting the CFO, to really do a fulsome look at how the policies compare, and even create potential enhancements to seek from the insurers. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fulsom, foulsome "abundant, well-fed, plump, arousing disgust," from ful, foul full entry 1 + -som, -some -some

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

fulsome

adjective

ful·​some ˈfu̇l-səm 

1

: very full or complete

described in fulsome detail

2

: very or overly flattering

praised the boss in fulsome terms

fulsomely adverb

fulsomeness noun