fulsome
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
fulsome
- /ˈfʊlsəm/
Rhymes with -ʊlsəm
Where it comes from
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.
adjective fulsomer · more fulsome · fulsomest · most fulsome · fullsome
- Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive. [T]he Weather exceeding hot, I entreated him to let me bathe in a River that was near. He conſented, and I immediately ſtripped myſelf ſtark naked, and went down ſoftly into the ſtream. It happened that a young Female Yahoo ſtanding behind a Bank, ſaw the whole proceeding, and enflamed by Deſire, as
- 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!"
- Characterised or marked by fullness; abundant, copious. The fulsome thanks of the war-torn nation lifted our weary spirits.
- Fully developed; mature. Her fulsome timbre resonated throughout the hall.
Similar: gross
