English Reference

Word

profusely

Phoneticspro·fuse·ly

US/pɹəfˈjusɫi/

UK/pɹəfjˈuːzli/

Definition

adv. in a way that is very full or in large amounts. You use this to describe things like sweat, tears, or praise that happen all over a surface or in a great quantity.

adv. in a manner characterized by great abundance or intensity. Often describes the physical manifestation of a liquid or the extent of an emotional response.

Examples

“He sweat profusely during the long run.”

“The athlete was profusely sweating after the match, but he refused to stop until the final whistle blew.”

“The speaker was profusely thanked by the audience, though his humble response suggested he felt the recognition was undeserved.”

Examples

simple

“He sweat profusely during the long run.”

contextual

“The athlete was profusely sweating after the match, but he refused to stop until the final whistle blew.”

complex

“The speaker was profusely thanked by the audience, though his humble response suggested he felt the recognition was undeserved.”

Real-World Examples

“During dinner, I insist on serving Marc drinks and checking on the kids myself, and apologise profusely when I realise I’ve forgotten to bring condiments to the table.”
British Vogue · 24 Feb 2024

Etymology

From profuse + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference