Profuse means abundant to the point of excess, pouring forth in large amounts. When something is profuse, there's so much of it that it seems almost overwhelming.

You might offer profuse apologies after accidentally knocking over someone's science project, saying sorry so many times that they have to tell you it's okay. A garden can have profuse blooms, with flowers covering every inch of space. After running a mile on a hot day, you might break out in profuse sweating, with perspiration dripping everywhere.

The word often describes things flowing or appearing in quantities greater than expected or needed. Someone might express profuse gratitude after you help them, thanking you over and over. A cut might bleed profusely (the adverb form), meaning the blood flows heavily and needs immediate medical attention.

Profuse carries a sense of generosity or intensity, but sometimes too much of it. While one “thank you” might be polite, profuse thanks can become awkward. The word suggests abundance that crosses into excess, like turning on a faucet full blast when you only needed a trickle.