profuse

/pɹəˈfjuːs/

Group 8Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Excessively plentiful; abundant
GRE

Example in Context

The ambassador offered profuse apologies for the diplomatic incident, though many interpreted the gesture as performative rather than sincere.

Synonyms

abundantplentifulexcessive

Etymology

Pouring forth in abundance, favoring a state of excess.

  • pro- (Latin) — in favor of
  • fundere (Latin) — to pour

Memory Aid

💦Sounds like “pro-fuse

A fountain that EXPLODES with water, it’s a PRO-FUSE of liquid everywhere!

Visual Association

🌊A waterfall gushing over rocks, overflowing with copious amounts of water.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “profuse” mean on the GRE?

profuse (adjective) means “Excessively plentiful; abundant”. The ambassador offered profuse apologies for the diplomatic incident, though many interpreted the gesture as performative rather than sincere.

How to remember “profuse” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “profuse” sounds like “pro-fuse”. A fountain that EXPLODES with water, it’s a PRO-FUSE of liquid everywhere!

What are synonyms for “profuse”?

Common synonyms: abundant, plentiful, excessive.