profusely

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   In very large amounts, so that a lot flows or comes out at once.

   Grammar: Goes after a verb of flowing or growing: sweat profusely, bleed profusely.

   Patterns

   • bleed profusely
   • sweat profusely

   The cut on his hand bled profusely.

   The marathon runners were sweating profusely in the heat.

   The roses bloomed profusely along the wall.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   To a great degree and with plenty of feeling, when you thank someone or say sorry.

   Grammar: Often follows thank or apologize: thank someone profusely.

   Patterns

   • thank someone profusely
   • apologize profusely

   She thanked the stranger profusely for returning her wallet.

   He apologized profusely for being late.

   The guests praised the host profusely.

Common combinations

sweat profusely

The patient began to sweat profusely.

bleed profusely

The wound bled profusely until it was bandaged.

apologize profusely

The waiter apologized profusely for the mix-up.

thank someone profusely

They thanked the firefighters profusely.

flow profusely

Tears flowed profusely at the farewell.

Synonyms and how they differ

copiously

Copiously is more formal and often used for bodily flows or notes, while profusely also fits thanks and apologies.

abundantly

Abundantly suggests plenty in a positive sense, such as growth, while profusely can be used for bleeding too.

lavishly

Lavishly implies generous spending or giving, which profusely does not.

excessively

Excessively suggests too much, which is a judgment profusely does not carry.

Opposites

Word family

profuse adjective

given or produced in large amounts

profusion noun

a large quantity of something

profuseness noun

the state of being abundant

Commonly confused: profusely or profoundly?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “profusely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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