fulsome

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.

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

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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.

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fulsome [ˈfʊlsəm]

adj

1. excessive or insincere, esp in an offensive or distasteful way fulsome compliments

2. Not standard extremely complimentary

3. Informal full, rich or abundant a fulsome figure a fulsome flavour fulsome detail

4. Archaic disgusting; loathsome

fulsomely  adv

fulsomeness  n

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

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

fulsome - 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" buttery, oleaginous, smarmy, unctuous, soapy, oily insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere"

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fulsome

adjective extravagant, excessive, over the top, sickening, overdone, fawning, nauseating, inordinate, ingratiating, cloying, insincere, saccharine, sycophantic, unctuous, smarmy (Brit. informal), immoderate, adulatory, gross They have been fulsome in their praise.

Translations

fulsome [ˈfʊlsəm] ADJ (pej) [praise] → excesivo, exagerado; [manner] → obsequioso

fulsome [ˈfʊlsəm] adj (pejorative)

[praise] → excessif/ive

[manner] → exagéré(e)

fulsome

adj praise, tribute, compliment, manner, tone (= effusive) → überschwänglich; (= exaggerated) → übertrieben; apology, support → uneingeschränkt; his most fulsome praise → sein höchstes Lob; he paid fulsome tribute to her courage → er würdigte ihren Mut uneingeschränkt; she was fulsome in her praise of the children → sie lobte die Kinder überschwänglich

fulsome [ˈfʊlsəm] adj (pej) (praise) → esagerato/a, eccessivo/a; (manner) → insincero/a