effuse

effuse — verb

  • effusepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • effuses3rd person singular
  • effusing-ing form
  • effusedpast simple

1. to cause a liquid to flow from a container in a steady stream, often with care o

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to cause a liquid to flow from a container in a steady stream, often with care or ceremony

例句

Asher gently effused the warm broth from the pot into each bowl.

effuse + noun phrase (liquid) with manner adverb

The old woman effused a small amount of honey over the cake.

同義詞
  • pour

    the ordinary word for causing liquid to flow; effuse is much rarer and more formal

  • decant

    specifically means pouring liquid from one container to another, often wine; more technical than effuse

文法句型

effuse + noun phrase (liquid)

用法筆記

Frequently used with an adverb of manner (gently, carefully, slowly) to describe the controlled nature of the action. Not common in everyday speech — pour or drip are preferred in casual contexts.

常見錯誤

❌She effused coffee into the cup.
✅She poured coffee into the cup.
💡'effuse' is very formal and unusual for everyday drinks; 'pour' is the natural choice.

2. to send out or produce something such as light, a smell, a sound, or a feeling;

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to send out or produce something such as light, a smell, a sound, or a feeling; or to come out gradually from a source (used of liquids, gases, or abstract things)

例句

A soft golden light effused from the lamp through the thin silk shade.

intransitive: effuse from + source

The kitchen effused the warm smell of fresh bread all through the flat.

transitive: effuse + smell

同義詞
  • emit

    the standard word for sending out light, heat, sound, etc.; effuse is more literary

  • emanate

    similar formality to effuse but used only intransitively (something emanates from somewhere)

  • exude

    used for both liquids and qualities, and is slightly more common than effuse

文法句型

effuse + noun (light/scent/feeling)

effuse from + noun

用法筆記

As an intransitive verb (sense 2) it is usually followed by 'from' to indicate the source. The transitive use is rarer and very formal; 'emit' or 'give off' are far more common.

常見錯誤

❌The flower effused a nice smell.
✅The flower gave off a nice smell.
💡'effuse' is too formal for everyday description of flowers; use 'give off' or 'have.'

3. to talk with too much energy or excitement about someone or something, showing s

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to talk with too much energy or excitement about someone or something, showing strong positive feelings in an uncontrolled way

例句

Tunde effused about the film for nearly an hour after it ended.

effuse about + topic

The music teacher effused over her student's final performance.

effuse over + person/thing

同義詞
  • gush

    the everyday word for talking excessively with enthusiasm; effuse is much rarer and more literary

  • rave

    common in informal contexts, especially about entertainment or food ('rave about a restaurant')

  • enthuse

    neutral and slightly formal; lacks the 'excessive' connotation that effuse carries

文法句型

effuse about/over + noun

effuse with + emotion

用法筆記

Always intransitive — takes a prepositional phrase (about/over/with) rather than a direct object. Carries a mildly negative tone: the speaker finds the enthusiasm excessive or surprising.

常見錯誤

❌She effused her love for the band.
✅She effused about the band for hours.
💡'effuse' in this sense is intransitive and cannot take a direct object.

4. to spread over a surface in a thin, irregular layer without a clear shape or bou

4.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

to spread over a surface in a thin, irregular layer without a clear shape or boundary

例句

The paint effused across the canvas in a thin, uneven film.

intransitive: effuse across + surface

Melted wax effused from the candle and spread over the wooden table.

同義詞
  • spread

    the everyday word; effuse adds the idea of formlessness and thinness

  • diffuse

    very similar in meaning but more common in science, especially for gases and light

文法句型

effuse + across/over + surface

effuse + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in scientific or descriptive writing about liquids, gases, or soft materials that spread without a fixed form. The intransitive pattern (something effuses over/across) is more common than the transitive one.

常見錯誤

❌Butter effused on the toast.
✅The butter spread across the warm toast.
💡'effuse' is too technical for butter; it suggests a thin, uncontrolled spreading, not an intentional one.

effuse — adjective