different between fulsome vs foulsome

English

Alternative forms

• fullsome (archaic)

Etymology

From Middle English fulsum, equivalent to ful- +? -some. The meaning has evolved from an original positive connotation "abundant" to a neutral "plump" to a negative "overfed". In modern usage, it can take on any of these inflections. See usage note.

The negative sense "offensive, gross; disgusting, sickening" developed secondarily after the 13th century and was influenced by Middle English foul (“foul”). In the 18th century, the word was sometimes even spelled foulsome.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?ls?m/

Adjective

fulsome (comparative fulsomer, superlative fulsomest)

1. Offensive to good taste, tactless, overzealous, excessive.
2. Excessively flattering (connoting insincerity).
3. Marked by fullness; abundant, copious.

4. Fully developed; mature.

Usage notes

• Common usage tends toward the negative connotation, and using fulsome in the sense of abundant, copious, or mature may lead to confusion without contextual prompts.

Synonyms

• (offensive): gross
• (abundant, copious): profuse
• (excessively flattering): effusive, unctuous

Derived terms

• fulsomely
• fulsomeness

Translations

References

English

Etymology

From Middle English foulsom, fulsom, folsum, equivalent to foul +? -some. Cognate with Scots fowsum.

Adjective

foulsome (comparative more foulsome, superlative most foulsome)

1. Marked by foulness or filth; filthy; (by extension) wretched