maudlin

Pronunciation: /ˈmɔːd.lɪn/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective effusively or insincerely emotional

Etymology

From Middle English Maudelen, a dialectal form of Mary Magdalene (typically depicted weeping), from Old French Madelaine (whence Madeleine), from Late Latin Magdalena (see Magdalena, Magdalene, and Maudlin).

In classic literature

Synonyms

bathetic, drippy, hokey, mawkish, kitschy, mushy, schmaltzy, schmalzy, sentimental, soppy, soupy, slushy

Semantic network

Similar
emotional

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading

Nice save! Solidify it with review →