sanguine

[ sang-gwin ]

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.

noun

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

sanguine

/ ˈsæŋɡwɪn /

adjective

1. cheerful and confident; optimistic
2. (esp of the complexion) ruddy in appearance
3. blood-red
4. an obsolete word for sanguinary

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈsanguinely, adverb
• ˈsanguineness, noun

Other Words From

• san·guine·ly adverb
• san·guin·i·ty [sang-, gwin, -i-tee], san·guin·ness noun
• non·san·guine adjective
• non·san·guine·ly adverb
• non·san·guine·ness noun
• o·ver·san·guine adjective
• o·ver·san·guine·ly adverb
• o·ver·san·guine·ness noun
• pre·san·guine adjective
• qua·si-san·guine adjective
• qua·si-san·guine·ly adverb
• su·per·san·guine adjective
• su·per·san·guin·i·ty noun
• un·san·guine adjective
• un·san·guine·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguine¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguine¹

C14: from Latin sanguineus bloody, from sanguis blood

Example Sentences

“None of the exercises left us sanguine,” the organizer, Bart Gellman, later reported.

From Salon

She didn’t sound sanguine, calling herself “skeptical” that the company will be able to allege a “cognizable injury.”

From Los Angeles Times

Other experts who are less sanguine about the possibility of reaching the 3 million mark still acknowledge that substantial growth is possible.

From Salon

But the former business secretary said she wasn’t worried Tory party members weren’t voting for her and claimed to be "sanguine" about the results.

From BBC

In the local Republican County office, a short walk down Main Street, Republican county chairman Bill Laurent was more sanguine.

From BBC

Related Words

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