Effusive means expressing feelings, especially approval or gratitude, in an unrestrained and overflowing way. When someone is effusive, their emotions pour out freely and abundantly, like water gushing from a fountain.

Picture a fan meeting their favorite author and becoming so excited they can barely get the words out as they heap praise upon praise, or a grandmother seeing her grandchildren after months apart and showering them with hugs, kisses, and delighted exclamations. That's being effusive: showing feelings openly and enthusiastically, sometimes almost too much.

The word often describes praise or thanks. An effusive thank-you note might go on for paragraphs about how wonderful and thoughtful a gift was. An effusive greeting involves warm hugs, exclamations, and genuine delight. While effusive feelings are sincere, they can sometimes make others uncomfortable if they overflow too much. There's a difference between saying “Thanks, I really appreciate it” and writing three pages about how someone's simple favor changed your entire life.

When you're effusive, you're not holding back or being reserved; you're letting your feelings flow freely and abundantly.