Bounteous means giving generously and abundantly, or existing in plentiful amounts. When a farmer has a bounteous harvest, the fields overflow with crops. When someone has a bounteous spirit, they share freely without holding back.

The word suggests having plenty to spare and often sharing that abundance. A bounteous feast means tables laden with dishes. A bounteous gift is generous and thoughtful, going well beyond what's expected.

You might encounter this word in older books or formal writing, where an author describes “nature's bounteous gifts” or a character's “bounteous generosity.” It carries a sense of richness and plenty that goes beyond the ordinary. When a teacher provides bounteous praise for good work, she celebrates the achievement with genuine enthusiasm and specific compliments, far exceeding a simple “nice job.”

The related word bountiful means almost the same thing and is more common today, but bounteous adds a slightly more poetic or old-fashioned feeling to whatever you're describing.