fulsome

Fulsome is an English adjective with two principal senses. In its older usage, fulsome meant abundant, plentiful, or generous. In contemporary usage, fulsome most often has a negative or pejorative sense, meaning excessive, immoderate, or insincere, especially when describing praise, apologies, or flattery. The word can imply that the excess is distasteful or morally dubious, though some contexts still retain a milder sense of generosity.

Etymology: The word is derived from full + some and dates from Middle English. It originally described being full or abundant. Over time, the nuance shifted and by the 18th–19th century the connotation of excess and insincerity became common; in modern English the negative sense predominates in many uses, though historical or literary contexts may use the older meaning.

Usage: In modern English, fulsome is common in formal or literary contexts but can be ambiguous. Style guides often advise choosing a clearer synonym, such as lavish, excessive, or insincere, when possible. Nevertheless, the phrase fulsome praise remains standard, while some readers react negatively to its connotations. Regions differ in emphasis; in American usage the pejorative sense is particularly strong, whereas in older British texts the positive sense may appear more frequently.