profuse

adjective

1)

profuse apologies

Syn:

copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informal over the top, gushy

2)

profuse blooms

Syn:

luxuriant, plentiful, copious, abundant, lush, rich, exuberant, riotous, teeming, rank, rampant; informal jungly

Ant:

meager, sparse

••

profuse, extravagant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, prodigal

Something that is profuse is poured out or given freely, often to the point of exaggeration or excess (profuse apologies). Extravagant also suggests unreasonable excess, but with an emphasis on wasteful spending (her gift was much too extravagant for the occasion). Someone who is prodigal is so recklessly extravagant that his or her resources will ultimately be exhausted (the prodigal heir to the family fortune). Another way to end up impoverished is through lavish spending, a word that combines extravagance with generosity or a lack of moderation (lavish praise; lavish furnishings). While lavish, extravagant and prodigal are often used to describe human behavior, lush and luxuriant normally refer to things. What is luxuriant is produced in great quantity, suggesting that it is not only profuse but gorgeous (luxuriant auburn hair). Something described as lush is not only luxuriant but has reached a peak of perfection (the lush summer grass).