fulsome

adj
/ˈfʊlsəm/

Etymology

From Middle English fulsom, equivalent to full + -some. The meaning has evolved from an original positive connotation "abundant" to a neutral "plump" to a negative "overfed". In modern usage, it can take on any of these inflections. See usage note. The negative sense "offensive, gross; disgusting, sickening" developed secondarily after the 13th century and was influenced by Middle English foul (“foul”). In the 18th century, the word was sometimes even spelled foulsome.

  1. inherited from fulsom

Definitions

  1. Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive.

    • You will hear the advanced enfans perdus, as the French call them, and so they are indeed, namely, children of the fall, singing unclean and fulsome ballads of sin and harlotrie.
  2. Excessively flattering (connoting insincerity).

    • And by hideous contrast, a redundant orator was making a speech to another gathering not thirty steps away, in fulsome laudation of "our glorious British liberties!"
    • He addressed me in several handwritings with fulsome compliments as a Venus in furs [...]
    • City overcame a spirited effort from Cardiff's Championship rivals Bristol City in a keenly contested Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, with manager Pep Guardiola fulsome in his praise for Lee Johnson's men over two legs.
  3. Characterised or marked by fullness

    Characterised or marked by fullness; abundant, copious.

    • The fulsome thanks of the war-torn nation lifted our weary spirits.
    • These extra services before Christmas Day were in addition to fulsome train facilities on the day, with many companies running a Sunday service.
  4. + 1 more definition
    1. Fully developed

      Fully developed; mature.

      • Her fulsome timbre resonated throughout the hall.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for fulsome. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA