adj. 1. Plentiful; copious. 2. Giving or given freely and abundantly; extravagant: were profuse in their compliments. [Middle English, lavish, from Latin profūsus, past participle of profundere, to pour forth : pro-, forth; see PRO-1 + fundere, to pour; see gheu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pro·fusely adv. pro·fuseness n. Synonyms: profuse, exuberant, lavish, lush1, luxuriant, prodigal These adjectives mean marked by unrestrained abundance: profuse apologies; an exuberant growth of moss; lavish praise; lush vegetation; luxuriant hair; prodigal bounty. Antonym: spare |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.