profusion
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A very large quantity or amount of something; an abundance.
Used to describe something that is present, produced, or displayed in copious, sometimes excessive or lavish, amounts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently conveys abundance, but often carries a positive or neutral connotation of richness and lavishness, rather than a negative sense of excess (though context can shift this). It is an uncountable noun.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Usage and frequency are similar.
Connotations
Slightly more common in literary or descriptive writing in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar low-to-mid frequency in both corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[article] profusion of + [plural noun/non-count noun]in profusionverb + profusion (e.g., 'produce a profusion')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in marketing: 'a profusion of features'.
Academic
Used in descriptive humanities and sciences: 'a profusion of archaeological finds', 'a profusion of synaptic connections'.
Everyday
Low frequency. Mostly in descriptive contexts: 'The garden was a profusion of roses.'
Technical
Uncommon.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The market stall displayed a profusion of ripe fruits.
- Her story was met with a profusion of questions from the audience.
- The Baroque interior was characterised by a profusion of ornamental detail.
- The policy debate generated a profusion of competing analyses, confusing the public.
- In spring, the alpine meadows bloom in a riotous profusion of colour.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FUSION of PROfessional flowers = a PROFUSION of colourful blooms.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUNDANCE IS A FLOOD / ABUNDANCE IS AN EXPLOSION (e.g., a profusion of colour exploding across the canvas).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'профессия' (profession).
- Can be falsely linked to 'профиль' (profile).
- Closest equivalents: 'изобилие', 'обилие', but 'profusion' is more formal and often visual/descriptive.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (*profusions).
- Misspelling as 'perfusion'.
- Using with 'much' instead of 'great' or 'sheer' (a great profusion).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'profusion' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally positive or neutral, describing a rich, lavish, or plentiful amount. Context can make it negative if the abundance is seen as excessive or overwhelming (e.g., 'a profusion of bureaucratic rules').
No. 'Profusion' is typically an uncountable noun. Use 'a profusion of [things]' or refer to multiple types of abundance with phrases like 'profusions of colour and sound' in very literary contexts, but it's rare.
They are close synonyms. 'Profusion' often has a more formal, literary feel and can imply a more visually striking, overflowing, or diverse abundance. 'Abundance' is more common and general.
The most common are 'of' ('a profusion of blossoms') and 'in' ('blossoms growing in profusion').
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