sappy

[ sap-ee ]

adjective

, sap·pi·er, sap·pi·est.

1. abounding in sap, as a plant.
2. full of vitality and energy.
3. Slang. silly or foolish.
4. Slang. overly sentimental:

   It’s one of those sappy romantic ballads.

sappy

/ ˈsæpɪ /

adjective

1. (of plants) full of sap
2. full of energy or vitality
3. slang.
   silly or fatuous

Derived Forms

• ˈsappiness, noun
• ˈsappily, adverb

Other Words From

• sap·pi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sappy¹

First recorded before 1100; Middle English sapy, Old English sæpig; sap ¹, -y ¹

Example Sentences

As part of his application process, he wrote a “sappy, cheesy” personal statement, the memory of which embarrasses him now.

From Los Angeles Times

To counter this, she has an uncommonly strong script for the genre, balancing the sappy and sentimental with a slangy skater-queer-cool-kid voice inhabited comfortably by both Stella and Plaza.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, the powers that be have told a very specific narrative about us: triumphalist and trite, self-congratulatory and sappy, while staying far away from our difficult parts.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s only when Clement brings his flair that this film has anything worth paying attention to, because he’s the dash of acid that offsets this otherwise totally saccharine and sappy story about embracing imagination.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maudlin
• mushy
• silly
• stupid