gushing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Descriptive, sometimes slightly informal/emotive.
Quick answer
What does “gushing” mean?
Flowing out rapidly and abundantly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Flowing out rapidly and abundantly; expressing excessive or unrestrained praise or emotion.
Can describe fluids, emotions, or language that emerges with forceful, copious, or effusive intensity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations of excess or lack of restraint.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “gushing” in a Sentence
[subject] is gushing with [noun (emotion/fluid)]The [source] is gushing [fluid]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gushing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Water was gushing from the burst main in the high street.
- She gushed about her holiday in the Maldives.
American English
- Oil gushed from the new well in Texas.
- He gushed over the latest superhero movie.
adverb
British English
- She spoke gushingly about her favourite author.
American English
- He praised the team gushingly after their victory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries (e.g., 'gushing oil well') or metaphorically ('gushing reviews' for a product).
Academic
Rare; used in descriptive earth sciences (geology, hydrology).
Everyday
Common for describing fluids (leaks, taps) and exaggerated praise/emotion.
Technical
Used in engineering, geology, and medicine to describe rapid fluid outflow.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gushing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gushing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gushing”
- Using 'gushing' for slow leaks. Using it as a neutral synonym for 'saying' (e.g., 'He gushed that he was tired' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is neutral when describing the physical flow of liquids (e.g., a gushing spring). It often carries a negative or sceptical connotation when describing praise or emotion, implying it is excessive or insincere.
Yes, but it's less common. The noun form is 'gush' (e.g., 'a gush of water', 'a gush of emotion'). 'Gushing' as a present participle or adjective is far more frequent.
'Pouring' often implies deliberate, controlled transfer (pour a drink) or heavy rain. 'Gushing' implies a natural, forceful, and often uncontrolled emergence from a source under pressure.
Yes, 'gushy' is an informal adjective meaning excessively effusive or sentimental, even more so than 'gushing'. (e.g., 'She gets really gushy when she talks about her grandchildren.')
Flowing out rapidly and abundantly.
Gushing is usually descriptive, sometimes slightly informal/emotive. in register.
Gushing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌʃ.ɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌʃ.ɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[nothing specifically with 'gushing' as the head; related idiom: 'gush over someone/something']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GUSH of water from a broken pipe, or someone GUSHING with so much praise it's like a flood of words.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/SPEECH IS A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE (e.g., 'She gushed with admiration').
Practice
Quiz
Which context is LEAST appropriate for 'gushing'?