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- Fulsome has moved away from its original meaning of “loathsome” and now refers to flattery that is excessive and insincere. Eugenia’s fulsome praise of my baking skills led me to think she was about to ask me for a donation to the bake sale. Fulsome should not be used to mean “full” or “profuse.”
www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/writing-tips-plus/effusive-fulsome
The word has both positive and negative meanings, so context is key. Fulsome is a troublesome word. And it's also a word that represents the rare case in which dictionaries have made the word’s meaning more confusing rather than more clear.
Fulsome. Two of the traditional senses of fulsome are (1) offensively, excessively flattering, and (2) excessive in a distasteful way. In both these senses, the adjective is usually negative. A fulsome piece of music, for instance, might be one that is overloud and too busy-sounding.
FULSOME definition: 1. expressing a lot of admiration or praise for someone, often too much, in a way that does not…. Learn more.
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.
What does the word fulsome mean? There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word fulsome , two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Fulsome is an example of a "skunked term," where there is disagreement over conflicting meanings. Compliments usually make you feel pretty good, but fulsome compliments, which are exaggerated and usually insincere, may have the opposite effect.
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FULSOME meaning: 1. expressing a lot of admiration or praise for someone, often too much, in a way that does not…. Learn more.