Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

mawkish

 - 3 dictionary results

mawk⋅ish

  [maw-kish]
Use mawkish in a Sentence
–adjective
1. characterized by sickly sentimentality; weakly emotional; maudlin.
2. having a mildly sickening flavor; slightly nauseating.
Origin:
1660–70; obs. mawk maggot (late ME < ON mathkr maggot) + -ish 1 . See maggot

Related forms:
mawk⋅ish⋅ly, adverb
mawk⋅ish⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. sentimental, teary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To mawkish
mawk·ish   (mô'kĭsh)   
adj.  

  1. Excessively and objectionably sentimental. See Synonyms at sentimental.

  2. Sickening or insipid in taste.


[From Middle English mawke, maggot, variant of magot; see maggot.]
mawk'ish·ly adv., mawk'ish·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

mawkish 
1668, sickly, nauseated, from M.E. mawke "maggot" (see maggot). Sense of "sickly sentimental" is first recorded 1702.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see mawkish on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way