profusely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'profusely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something in abundance or in large amounts, such as is the case with someone who is apologizing. For example, "The man apologized profusely for his error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Twitter, the Tory whip Claire Perry joined the outcry, demanding the MP "apologise profusely".

The Guardian

But the winner of this particularly unedifying battle has to be Andrew Strauss, who thought Sky had turned the microphones off before Nick Knight asked for his opinion of Kevin Pietersen and declared himself "mortified and profusely sorry" after his explicit response was broadcast worldwide.

The Guardian - Sport

I remember thanking them profusely outside of the courthouse that day for giving me a second chance when I didn't think I deserved one.

The Guardian

Related: Córdoba 0-8 Barcelona | La Liga match report Sevilla had held their own in the first half but the game changed when the home side's midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak clashed heads with Sergio Ramos and had to go off to get treatment for a profusely bleeding nose.

The Guardian - Sport

In the early post-Soviet years Burlatsky had his own television discussion programme, and continued to publish profusely.

The Guardian

The director, sweating profusely in a shirt that had once been maroon, explained the scenario.

The Guardian - Film

The charity will thank you profusely, especially if you remember to include the original disks, the manuals and, above all, the licence numbers of the proprietary software installed.

The Economist

If anyone in your party does take offence at a jibe, apologise quickly and profusely.

The Economist

Though the product had been deliberately poisoned with cyanide while on shop shelves the firm's chief executive apologised repeatedly and profusely, production ceased and over 30m bottles were recalled at a cost of some $100m.

The Economist

When Mrs Shakir-Ahmed complained about that shop assistant, for example, the manager apologised profusely and gave her two free bags.

The Economist

With 27 seconds left in round one, the challenger by now bleeding profusely, the referee ends the fight.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profusely" to emphasize the degree or intensity of an action, particularly when describing apologies, sweating, or bleeding. For example, "He apologized "profusely" after realizing his mistake."

Common error

While "profusely" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "abundantly" or "extensively" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "profusely" functions primarily to modify verbs, intensifying the action they describe. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is done in a great quantity or abundance, exemplified by phrases like "apologize "profusely"" or "sweating "profusely"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profusely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that intensifies verbs by denoting abundance or excess. Ludwig AI highlights its common usage in contexts such as apologies and physical reactions. While versatile, it's most prevalent in news, media, and encyclopedia articles, maintaining a neutral to slightly formal tone. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "abundantly" or "copiously", ensuring that the chosen word aligns with the intended nuance. Remember, as Ludwig AI suggests, overuse can be melodramatic, so adjust your diction accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundantly

Emphasizes a large quantity or ample supply.

copiously

Highlights a generous or plentiful amount, often in the context of fluids or information.

extravagantly

Suggests an excessive or unrestrained manner.

lavishly

Implies richness and abundance, often associated with spending or decoration.

generously

Focuses on giving or providing in a plentiful way.

intensely

Highlights the strength or degree of an action or feeling.

profusion

Using the noun form, focusing on the abundance itself rather than the manner.

in abundance

Emphasizes the state of having a large quantity.

in copious amounts

Similar to "copiously", stressing the quantity involved.

to a great extent

Indicates a high degree or measure of something.

FAQs

How can I use "profusely" in a sentence?

You can use "profusely" to describe something done in great quantity or abundance. For example, "She thanked them "profusely" for their help" or "He was sweating "profusely" under the hot sun".

What can I say instead of "profusely"?

You can use alternatives like "abundantly", "copiously", or "extravagantly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone apologized "profusely"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying someone apologized "profusely" means they apologized in a very sincere and abundant manner.

What does it mean to bleed "profusely"?

To bleed "profusely" means to bleed heavily or in large amounts. It emphasizes the intensity of the bleeding.