Weiyang, Definition of EFFUSIVE: 1: marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm <effusive praise> 2: archaic: pouring freely 3: characterized or formed by a nonexplosive outpouring of lava <effusive rocks> So yes, all of the answers you were given are correct. However, you - as the writer using this beautiful and expressive word - need to chose very carefully which meaning you want to give your readers. I got my answer from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effusive Hope this helps! Michal Ann

The most common use I can thing of is "effusive praise". It means gushing or overflowing.

Thanks to all

Rosa, there is no cultural difference in David's answer. Weiyang has the choice as the writer using this word to give it whichever meaning (he) wishes. You and David are both "correct", but Weiyang gets to choose how the word is used. Hope this explains things more clearly. If you still doubt me, go to this website for more answers: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effusive

Maybe this is a cultural difference or a matter of style, but personally I don't agree that effusive necessarily means excessive. Effusive praise could indeed be deserved.