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Even though full is usually a positive word, fulsome can have pejorative connotations in phrases like "fulsome praise," where it is often taken to mean “effusive, excessive, or insincere praise.” A phrase like "a fulsome apology" is likely to be ambiguous: some may think it means "a complete apology," while others may think it means "an ...
Mar 15, 2010 · People describe praise as “fulsome” and imply no criticism. The problem is that the intended meaning of “fulsome apology” or “fulsome praise” isn’t clear. The word may be being used in a complimentary sense, or in an insulting one.
- Simon Kewin
Nov 3, 2014 · But M-W cautions that the “chief danger for the user of fulsome is ambiguity,” and unless “the context is made very clear, the reader or hearer cannot be sure whether such an expression as ‘fulsome praise’ is meant” in the sense of “abundant” or “excessive.”
However, the word is still often used in its original sense of ‘abundant’, especially in sentences such as ‘she was fulsome in her praise for the people who organized it’, and this use can give rise to ambiguity: for one speaker, fulsome praise may be a genuine compliment, whereas for others it will be interpreted as an insult
Jan 8, 2018 · In modern use fulsome can again, go either way. If the head of state gives fulsome praise or a fulsome apology to a politician, it’s now almost impossible to tell if that’s a good or a bad thing. Best advice? Steer clear of fulsome until the meaning settles because using it is bound to cause confusion. Until next time I wish you a fulsome ...
May 22, 2016 · In modern usage, “fulsome” has two inconsistent meanings. To some people it means “offensive, overdone,” so “fulsome praise” to them would be disgustingly exaggerated praise. To other people it means “abundant,” and for them “fulsome praise” is glowingly warm praise.
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In recent use, the word often describes things that are full or abundant in good ways, especially praise—for example: One of the ‘fruits’ of growth — extension, form, measure, becoming fulsome — is responsibility.
