maudlin

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

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