Skip to main content

maudlinself-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɔːdlɪn/

Example Sentences

  • Don't get maudlin on me - it's just a romantic comedy movie!
  • His maudlin speech about 'the good old days' made everyone uncomfortable at the reunion.
  • She avoided her maudlin uncle at family gatherings because he always cried about his childhood.

maudlin

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈmɔːdlɪn/]

self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness

After three glasses of wine, he turned maudlin about his childhood dog.
💡 Concept

After three glasses of wine, he turned maudlin about his childhood dog.

Maudlin and dawdlin', always coddlin' his sorrows
🎵 Rhyme

Maudlin and dawdlin', always coddlin' his sorrows

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmɔːdlɪn/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈmɔːdlɪn/

🌳Etymology

Rootmaudlin

Origin

From Middle English Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene, who was often depicted in medieval art as weeping. The association between her tearful repentance and excessive sentimentality led to the modern meaning, influenced by the French pronunciation 'maudeline.'

Breakdown

Maudlin derives from the name Magdalene (Mary Magdalene) + -in (adjectival suffix) = maudlin (excessively sentimental or tearful)

🎵Rhyme

dawdlin'coddlin'
dawdlin'
coddlin'

🔗Collocations

maudlin sentimentality
become maudlin
maudlin drunk
maudlin self-pity
maudlin tears

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Don't get maudlin on me - it's just a romantic comedy movie!

His maudlin speech about 'the good old days' made everyone uncomfortable at the reunion.

She avoided her maudlin uncle at family gatherings because he always cried about his childhood.

😄 Fun example

The movie was so maudlin that even the popcorn seemed to be crying.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

sentimentalweepylachrymosemawkishsoppy

Antonyms

stoicunemotionaldetached

Related

melancholynostalgicemotionaltearful

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.