FUL-sum
Definition
(adjective) Excessive to the point of being insincere; overly flattering or abundant in a way that feels uncomfortable.
Example
Her fulsome compliments were so over the top that everyone in the room sensed she didn’t mean a word of them.
Word Origin
Fulsome comes from Middle English, where full meant “abundant.” Originally positive, the term gradually shifted to imply overabundance, and by the 17th century it took on its modern meaning: so much of something that it becomes unpleasant or false.
Fun Fact
In medieval courts, flattery wasn’t just social— it was strategic. Nobles often exaggerated praise to absurd levels to gain favor, protection, or political advantage. Historians note that entire diplomatic negotiations were built on excessive, theatrical compliments, so inflated that they read today like satire. This cultural tradition helped shape our modern idea of “fulsome praise” as something that feels flattering on the surface…but carries an uncomfortable edge underneath.
