- To bubble, foam, hiss, as a gas escapes, generally from a liquid. Also used to describe someone who is lively, energetic, entertaining.
It's a fun word, certainly. It brings up images of Alka-Seltzer and champagne, sophisticated women with perfect, engaging laughs. There's something of youth in this, too. Champagne is only effervescent for a limited time, because it is letting that which makes it wonderful escape for your pleasure. It is that way, I think, when someone is effervescent. It isn't a state that can be maintained indefinitely; it is deeply, intrinsically associated with youth. A bubbly, effervescent woman is indulging in her youth for you.
I think that I especially love this word in the verb form: to effervesce. "We all sat in wonder, watching her effervesce in the circle of strangers."
This girl made this word hit my brain. Here's a picture of her joyfully popping bubbles. She seemed unaware that anyone else was even there. She was totally in the moment, and deeply infectious, giving all of us huge smiles.

Thank you! this is a great demonstration of when and how this word can be used!
Posted by: zephyr | August 10, 2011 at 09:11 PM