profuse

profuse — adjective

  • profusepositive
  • more profusecomparative
  • most profusesuperlative

1. happening or existing in very large quantities, especially more than is normal o

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

happening or existing in very large quantities, especially more than is normal or expected — for example, profuse bleeding from a wound or profuse apologies after a mistake

Example

Sofie could not go hiking because the profuse bleeding from her leg needed hospital treatment.

collocation: profuse bleeding

Faisal sent profuse apologies to every guest after he accidentally broke the vase.

collocation: profuse apologies

Common collocations
  • profuse bleeding
  • profuse apologies
  • profuse thanks
  • profuse sweating
  • profuse growth
  • profuse praise
Synonyms
  • abundant

    more general term; works for physical objects, resources, and abstract things

  • copious

    focuses on large amount produced; common with notes, writing, and bodily fluids

  • lavish

    implies generous or extravagant giving, often with a positive or admiring tone

  • exuberant

    describes lively, unstoppable growth or energy; more emotional than profuse

Antonyms
  • sparse

    thinly scattered; the opposite of plentiful or dense

  • scant

    barely enough or less than needed

Grammar Patterns

profuse + noun

profuse in + noun phrase

Usage Note

Commonly used before nouns describing things a person produces or gives: bleeding, apologies, thanks, praise, sweating. Less common with physical objects — instead of 'a profuse amount of food', use 'an abundant amount of food' or 'a huge amount of food'.

Common Mistakes

She gave a profuse smile.
She gave a warm smile.
'profuse' is not used for facial expressions or emotions that cannot be measured in quantity.
There was profuse rain last night.
There was heavy rain last night.
'profuse' does not describe weather; use 'heavy' or 'torrential' instead.

Word family

  • profusely
    adverbB2
  • profusion
    nounC1
  • profuseness
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe large quantities, but they differ in what they typically modify and in tone. 'Profuse' is strongly associated with things a person emits or produces — apologies, sweating, bleeding, thanks — and often implies an amount that is notable or even excessive. 'Abundant' is the most general: food, resources, evidence, or opportunities can all be abundant. 'Copious' overlaps with profuse on bodily outputs (copious sweat) but also applies to notes, writing, and research (copious notes). 'Lavish' adds a flavour of generosity or luxury (lavish spending, lavish praise). 'Exuberant' describes lively, outward-flowing energy (exuberant growth, exuberant personality) and carries a positive emotional charge that 'profuse' lacks. For everyday situations, choose 'abundant' for physical quantities and 'profuse' specifically for apologies, thanks, or medical symptoms.

abundant ↗copious ↗lavish ↗exuberant ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Verbs

Adverbs

  • profusely

Phrases

  • in profuse quantities
  • profuse in one's thanks

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Profuse entered English in the 15th century from Middle English, borrowing directly from Latin 'profusus', meaning 'poured forth' or 'lavish'. The Latin word is the past participle of 'profundere' ('pro-' = forth + 'fundere' = to pour). The original image is of something being poured out so freely that it spreads in all directions — a picture that still fits how the word is used today for bleeding, apologies, or thanks that seem to flow without restraint.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1