maudlin

[ mawd-lin ]

adjective

1. tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental:

   a maudlin story of a little orphan and her lost dog.

2. foolishly or mawkishly sentimental because of drunkenness.

maudlin

/ ˈmɔːdlɪn /

adjective

1. foolishly tearful or sentimental, as when drunk

Derived Forms

• ˈmaudlinly, adverb
• ˈmaudlinism, noun
• ˈmaudlinness, noun

Other Words From

• maudlin·ism noun
• maudlin·ly adverb
• maudlin·ness noun
• un·maudlin adjective
• un·maudlin·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of maudlin¹

1500–10; special use of Maudlin, Middle English Maudelen ≪ Late Latin Magdalēnē < Greek Magdalēnḗ Mary Magdalene, portrayed in art as a weeping penitent

Word History and Origins

Origin of maudlin¹

C17: from Middle English Maudelen Mary Magdalene, typically portrayed as a tearful penitent

Example Sentences

Thankfully, “We Live in Time” never becomes maudlin, but it also never generates much emotion other than disappointment and frustration.

From Salon

Not wanting to be maudlin, Morrison sometimes comes off as shallow.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re sappy and maudlin, aiming to reduce the audience to a puddle of tears.

From Los Angeles Times

The tragedy has a kind of inevitability that feels more Mishima than the maudlin Italian original.

From Los Angeles Times

There are times when the film veers too near the maudlin for comfort, but it always finds its way back to something spare and meaningful.

From New York Times

Related Words

• mawkish
• mushy
• romantic
• sentimental
• syrupy
• weepy