maudlin

adjective

maud·lin | \ ˈmȯd-lən

Definition of maudlin

1 : drunk enough to be emotionally silly a mob of maudlin rummies … sing hymns— Joseph Mitchell would crack open another beer and become maudlin— Patrick Moore

2 : weakly and effusively sentimental maudlin expressions of regret

Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about maudlin

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Did You Know?

The history of maudlin owes as much to the Bible as to the barroom. The biblical Mary Magdalene is often (though some say mistakenly) identified with the weeping sinner who washed Jesus' feet with her tears to repent for her sins. This association led to the frequent depiction of Mary Magdalene as a weeping penitent, and by the 16th century even the name Magdalene suggested teary emotion to many English speakers. It was then that maudlin, an alteration of Magdalene, appeared in the English phrase "maudlin drunk," which, as one Englishman explained in 1592, described a tearful drunken state whereby "a fellow will weepe for kindnes in the midst of his Ale and kisse you."

Examples of maudlin in a Sentence

He became maudlin and started crying like a child. a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role. — Hank Stuever, Washington Post, "A convoluted ‘Stranger Things’ follows its primal ’80s urges to one monster of a mall," 3 July 2019 But this is writer-director Matt Sivertson’s first film, and he and his cast and crew are able to offer only a maudlin drama that inspires eye rolls rather than tears. — Kimber Myers, latimes.com, "Adding Anne Frank doesn't deepen indie drama 'Love All You Have Left's' tragic tale," 28 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maudlin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for maudlin

maudlin

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of maudlin

: showing or expressing too much emotion especially in a foolish or annoying way

See the full definition for maudlin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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maudlin

Definition of maudlin

Synonyms & Antonyms for maudlin

Did You Know?

Examples of maudlin in a Sentence

First Known Use of maudlin

History and Etymology for maudlin

English Language Learners Definition of maudlin

maudlin

Definition of maudlin

Synonyms & Antonyms for maudlin

Did You Know?

Examples of maudlin in a Sentence

First Known Use of maudlin

History and Etymology for maudlin

English Language Learners Definition of maudlin

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