Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
1,505,166,537 visitors served.
forum mailing list For webmasters
?
New: Language forums
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

fulsome

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
ful·some  (flsm)
adj.
1. Offensively flattering or insincere. See Synonyms at unctuous.
2. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities.
3. Usage Problem Copious or abundant.

[Middle English fulsom, abundant, well-fed, arousing disgust : ful, full; see full1 + -som, adj. suff.; see -some1.]

fulsome·ly adv.
fulsome·ness n.
Usage Note: Fulsome is often used to mean "offensively flattering or insincere." But the word is also used, particularly in the expression fulsome praise, to mean simply "abundant," without any implication of excess or insincerity. This usage is etymologically justified but may invite misunderstandings in contexts in which a deprecatory interpretation could be made. The sentence I offer you my most fulsome apologies may raise an eyebrow, where the use of an adjective like full or abundant would leave no room for doubt as to the sincerity of the speaker's intentions.

fulsome
Adjective
1. exaggerated and elaborate, and often sounding insincere: fulsome praise
2. Not standard extremely complimentary
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.fulsomefulsome - unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; "buttery praise"; "gave him a fulsome introduction"; "an oily sycophantic press agent"; "oleaginous hypocrisy"; "smarmy self-importance"; "the unctuous Uriah Heep"; "soapy compliments"
insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere"

fulsome
adjective extravagant, excessive, over the top, sickening, overdone, fawning, nauseating, inordinate, ingratiating, cloying, insincere, saccharine, sycophantic, unctuous, smarmy Brit. (informal) immoderate, adulatory, gross
USAGE In journalism, fulsome is often used simply to mean `extremely complimentary' or `full, rich, or abundant'. In other kinds of writing, however, this word should only be used if you intend to suggest negative overtones of excess or insincerity.
Translations
fulsome [ˈfulsəm] adj (pej) [praise, gratitude] → excesivo, exagerado; [manner] → obsequioso
fulsome [ˈfulsəm] adj (pej) [praise] → excessif/ive: [manner] → exagéré(e)
fulsome [ˈfulsəm] (pej) adjübertrieben
fulsome [ˈfulsəm] adj (pej) [praise] → esagerato/a, eccessivo/a : [manner] → insincero


How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
They are fulsome obtrusive dogs; they gild palm-leaves.
"-- and further instancing the known truth that in the case of animals, the young, which may be called the green fruit of the creature, is the better, all con- fessing that when a goat is ripe, his fur doth heat and sore engame his flesh, the which defect, taken in con- nection with his several rancid habits, and fulsome appetites, and godless attitudes of mind, and bilious quality of morals --"
It is not my intention to be fulsome, but I confess that I covet your skull.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2009 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.