MAWKISH Meaning and
Definition
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Mawkish is an adjective that describes something overly sentimental or excessively emotional in a way that seems insincere or cloying. It often refers to sentimental expressions or behavior that can evoke feelings of nausea or disgust due to its exaggerated, affected, or saccharine nature.
A mawkish sentimentality can be associated with excessive displays of affection or sentiment that lack genuine emotion or depth. It is a quality that may be characterized by an overly dramatic or contrived display of emotions, such as gushing over-the-top praise or exaggerated expressions of love. In literature or art, a mawkish sentimentality can refer to overly sentimental or artificial representations of emotions that may seem forced or insincere.
The excessive emotional nature of mawkishness can often be seen as a way to manipulate or elicit sympathy from others. It may also be considered inauthentic or lacking in substance, as true emotional depth tends to be more nuanced and less exaggerated. This adjective can be used to describe various forms of media, such as films, literature, music, or performances that are considered insincere or overly sentimental in tone. Overall, the term mawkish is used to criticize sentiments that are exaggerated, insincere, and lacking genuine emotional depth.
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Apt to cause satiety or loathing; disgusting; insipid.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for MAWKISH
Etymology of MAWKISH
The word "mawkish" is derived from the Middle Dutch word "makelijc", which means "sickly". It entered Middle English as "mawke", meaning "maggot" or "grub". Over time, the term "mawkish" came to be associated with something that is sickeningly sentimental or nauseatingly sweet, possibly because grubs were considered repulsive or sickly.
Similar spelling words for MAWKISH
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