What does effusive mean?
Word: Effusive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Effusive means showing warm feelings in a very open way, often with more words than are needed.
Synonyms: gushing, demonstrative
Antonyms: restrained
How do you spell effusive?
Syllables: ef - fu - sive
Tricky part: The start is the trap. Students hear a single sound after the e and write one f, where this word needs two.
Watch out for: efusive, affusive
Memory tip: Full flow: two f words for the two f letters at the start of this word.
Effusive in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa was effusive about the mango pickle and asked for a second helping.
Example 2: The coach is not an effusive man, so a quiet nod from him means a lot.
Example 3: Her effusive welcome at the station made us feel at home in Shillong.
Fun Fact
Geologists use this word too. An effusive eruption is one in which lava pours out steadily instead of bursting out with a bang, which suits a word that grew from a Latin verb for pouring out.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
eff_s_ve
a) u, e
b) u, i
c) a, i
d) o, i
Show answer
b) u, i. The u of use comes first, and the short i of give comes second.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
effussive
a) f
b) v
c) s
d) u
Show answer
c) s. A single s sits before the closing letters, so the other s goes.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word effusive as used in the sentence:
Mrs Menon was effusive in her thanks after the children's concert.
a) hearty
b) lavish
c) reserved
d) enthusiastic
Show answer
c) reserved. A reserved person holds feelings back, while the other three words all suggest showing them freely.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The judges were vseuffie in their praise of the young dancers from Odisha.
a) effusive
b) effective
c) evasive
d) excessive
Show answer
a) effusive. The letters include two f and one s, and no c or a, which leaves one option.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these guests would you call effusive?
a) One who arrives late and says very little.
b) One who nods politely and leaves after ten minutes.
c) One who sits in a corner reading a newspaper.
d) One who hugs everyone and thanks them again and again.
Show answer
d) One who hugs everyone and thanks them again and again.
2. A shy reader writes an effusive review of a novel. What would you expect to find in it?
a) line after line of glowing praise
b) a plain summary of the plot
c) a short list of printing errors
d) a careful comparison of two editions
Show answer
a) line after line of glowing praise
