Winsome — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈwin(t)-səm/ win·some

Meaning & Definition of Winsome

Winsome (adjective)

  1. generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence
  2. cheerful, lighthearted

Winsome (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing a good mood or disposition

    "she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone"

    similar: blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, canty (British dialect), cheerful, cheery, chipper, eupeptic, gay, gladsome, lightsome, sunny, upbeat
    related: hopeful, optimistic, rosy, sanguine, animated, chirpy, jaunty, lilting, lively, perky, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious, carefree, careless, cavalier, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, insouciant, lighthearted, unconcerned, boon, gleeful, jocund, jolly, jovial, merry, mirthful, blissful, delighted, glad, gratified, happy, joyful, joyous, pleased, satisfied, tickled, beaming, grinning, laughing, smiling
    opposite: dour, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, sullen
    near: joyless, sad, unhappy, unsatisfied, dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid, blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, disheartened, down, downcast, downhearted, droopy, forlorn, hangdog, heavyhearted, inconsolable, low, low-spirited, melancholy, mirthless, sorrowful

  2. likely or intended to win one's affection

    "in her new role, the actress again displays the winsome charm that has made her an audience favorite"

    similar: disarming, endearing, ingratiating, insinuating, winning
    related: adorable, charming, likable, lovable, affecting, poignant, touching, adulatory, deferential, effusive, flattering, fulsome, groveling, kowtowing, obsequious, servile, sycophantic, drooling, oleaginous, slavering, slobbering, saccharine, soapy, sugary, unctuous
    opposite: unendearing, uningratiating
    near: alienating, disaffecting, displeasing, repugnant, repulsive, arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, proud, scornful

  3. having qualities that tend to make one loved

    "an actress who specialized in playing winsome ingenues in romantic comedies"

    similar: adorable, darling, dear, disarming, endearing, lovable, lovesome, precious, sweet, winning
    related: embraceable, kissable, beloved, cherished, favored, favorite, loved, treasured, attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely, alluring, appealing, captivating, charming, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, fascinating, fetching, admirable, likable, reputable, respectable, affable, agreeable, cheerful, cordial, friendly, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, kind, nice, pleasant, delightful, pleasing, well-disposed
    opposite: abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable
    near: unloved, contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty, offensive, unlikable, unpleasant, wretched, frightful, grotesque, hideous, ill-favored, monstrous, ogreish, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, ugly, unattractive, unsightly, vile, appalling, awful, dreadful, foul, horrendous, horrid, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Winsome

The most common words with a similar meaning to Winsome:

British dialect: canty
blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, cheerful, cheery, chipper, eupeptic, gay, gladsome, lightsome, sunny, upbeat, disarming, endearing, ingratiating, insinuating, winning, adorable, darling, dear, lovable, lovesome, precious, sweet

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Winsome

Words with the opposite meaning of Winsome:

dour, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, sullen, unendearing, uningratiating, abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable

Related Words for Winsome

hopeful, optimistic, rosy, sanguine, animated, chirpy, jaunty, lilting, lively, perky, sprightful, sprightly, vivacious, carefree, careless, cavalier, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, insouciant, lighthearted, unconcerned, boon, gleeful, jocund, jolly, jovial, merry, mirthful, blissful

Near Antonyms of Winsome

joyless, sad, unhappy, unsatisfied, dull, lethargic, listless, sluggish, torpid, blue, brokenhearted, crestfallen, dejected, depressed, despondent, disconsolate, disheartened, down, downcast, downhearted, droopy, forlorn, hangdog, heavyhearted, inconsolable, low, low-spirited, melancholy, mirthless, sorrowful

Word Forms of Winsome

Derived words: winsomely (adverb), winsomeness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Winsome

Middle English winsum, from Old English wynsum, from wynn joy; akin to Old High German wunna joy, Latin venus desire win

First known use: 1677

Frequently Asked Questions about Winsome

What does "Winsome" mean?

"Winsome" means generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence. As an adjective, it is defined as: generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Winsome"?

Other words for "Winsome" include blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, canty, cheerful, cheery and chipper. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Winsome" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Winsome"?

There are 129 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Winsome". Common alternatives include blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, canty, cheerful, cheery, chipper, eupeptic and gay.

What is the opposite of "Winsome"?

Antonyms of "Winsome" include dour, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, sullen and unendearing. Near antonyms include joyless, sad, unhappy and unsatisfied.

How do you use "Winsome" in a sentence?

Examples of "Winsome" in a sentence: "she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone"; "in her new role, the actress again displays the winsome charm that has made her an audience favorite"; "an actress who specialized in playing winsome ingenues in romantic comedies".

Is "Winsome" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Winsome" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Winsome"?

"Winsome" is pronounced /ˈwin(t)-səm/ and divided into syllables as win·some.

What is the origin of the word "Winsome"?

"Winsome" comes from Middle English winsum, from Old English wynsum, from wynn joy; akin to Old High German wunna joy, Latin venus desire win. First known use: 1677.