sanguine

American  

[sang-gwin] / ˈsæŋ gwɪn /

adjective

1. cheerfully optimistic, sometimes to the point of seeming complacent, oblivious, or naive.

   a sanguine disposition;

   sanguine expectations.

   Synonyms:

   positive , optimistic , hopeful , confident , cheerful , buoyant , assured

   Antonyms:

   morose

2. reddish; ruddy.

   a sanguine complexion.

3. (in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.

4. bloody; sanguinary.

5. blood-red; red.

6. Heraldry.  a reddish-purple tincture.

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noun

1. a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings.

sanguine British  

/ ˈsæŋɡwɪn /

adjective

1. cheerful and confident; optimistic

2. (esp of the complexion) ruddy in appearance

3. blood-red

4. an obsolete word for sanguinary

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noun

1. Also called: red chalk.  a red pencil containing ferric oxide, used in drawing

Other Word Forms

• nonsanguine adjective
• nonsanguinely adverb
• nonsanguineness noun
• oversanguine adjective
• oversanguinely adverb
• oversanguineness noun
• presanguine adjective
• quasi-sanguine adjective
• quasi-sanguinely adverb
• sanguinely adverb
• sanguineness noun
• sanguinity noun
• sanguinness noun
• supersanguine adjective
• supersanguinity noun
• unsanguine adjective
• unsanguinely adverb

Etymology

Origin of sanguine

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English sanguyne “a blood-red cloth,” from Old French sanguin, from Latin sanguineus “bloody,” equivalent to sanguin-, stem of sanguis “blood” + -eus -eous

Example Sentences

A sanguine temper would say ten or twelve; let me dare to hope humbly for five or six.

From The Wall Street Journal

He wasn’t as sanguine about Cliffs’ rare earths plans.

From Barron's

The big banks, which are among the first to report, have been pretty sanguine about the economy, Boockvar says.

From Barron's

Those overly sanguine predictions contrast with the increasing number of bricks being added daily to the wall of worry that the bull market currently climbs.

From Barron's

Some officials are nervous about a sudden deterioration in labor demand and more sanguine about inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• buoyant
• cheerful
• confident
• enthusiastic
• hopeful
• upbeat