Words / C2

MORK-ish/ˈmɔːkɪʃ/

Mawkish means sickly or weakly sentimental, so as to be embarrassing: a mawkish appeal, mawkish about “family”. Maudlin (already in the dictionary) is tearfully sentimental, often after drink — the close twin. Doleful and elegiac (already in the dictionary) are mournful of look, and wistful for something past. This batch: mordant is biting sarcasm — the opposite flavour. A story-board is not an n.

Meaning

Sickly or weakly sentimental, so as to be embarrassing.

Examples

• “A mawkish appeal to “our story” does not fill the n.”
• “Maudlin is tearfully sentimental (already in C2). Doleful is mournful in look (already in C2). Elegiac is wistfully mournful (already in C2). Mordant is bitingly sarcastic (this batch) — the contrast. Atmosphere on the night can be exact. Atmosphere instead of a dated cell is branding. Write the number; then the violin.”

Good to know

Sickly sentimental. Close: maudlin (already in C2). Contrast: doleful / elegiac (mournful — already in C2). This batch: mordant (the bite). A story ≠ an n.

Near in meaning

maudlin, soppy, sentimental, cloying

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