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adj

fulsome

Fulsome (adj) means Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive.

adj
1
Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive.
2
Excessively flattering (connoting insincerity).
3
Characterised or marked by fullness; abundant, copious.
4
Fully developed; mature.
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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.

Rhymes for fulsome

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of fulsome?

"fulsome" (adj) means offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive.

What are the different meanings of fulsome?

"fulsome" has 3 main meanings: 1. Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive; 2. Excessively flattering (connoting insincerity); 3. Characterised or marked by fullness; abundant, copious.

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