winsome

winsome

adjective

Definition of WINSOME

1

having or showing a good mood or disposition <she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone>

Synonyms blithe, blithesome, bright, buoyant, canty [British dialect], cheery, chipper, eupeptic, gay, gladsome, lightsome, sunny, upbeat, winsome

Related Words 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

Near Antonyms 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

Antonyms dour, gloomy, glum, morose, saturnine, sulky, sullen

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>

Synonyms disarming, endearing, insinuating, winning, winsome

Related Words adorable, charming, likable (or likeable), lovable (also loveable); affecting, poignant, touching; adulatory, deferential, effusive, flattering, fulsome, groveling (or grovelling), kowtowing, obsequious, servile, sycophantic; drooling, oleaginous, slavering, slobbering; saccharine, soapy, sugary, unctuous

Near Antonyms alienating, disaffecting, displeasing; repugnant, repulsive; arrogant, disdainful, haughty, insolent, proud, scornful

Antonyms unendearing, uningratiating

3

having qualities that tend to make one loved <an actress who specialized in playing winsome ingenues in romantic comedies>

Synonyms adorable, darling, dear, disarming, endearing, lovesome, precious, sweet, winning, winsome

Related Words embraceable, kissable; beloved, cherished, favored, favorite, loved, treasured; attractive, beautiful, desirable, lovely; alluring, appealing, captivating, charming, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, fascinating, fetching; admirable, likable (or likeable), reputable, respectable; affable, agreeable, cheerful, cordial, friendly, genial, good-natured, good-tempered, gracious, kind, nice, pleasant; delightful, pleasing, well-disposed

Near Antonyms unloved; contemptible, disagreeable, disgusting, distasteful, heinous, horrible, lousy, nasty, offensive, unlikable, unpleasant, wretched; frightful, grotesque, hideous, ill-favored, monstrous, ogreish, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive; ugly, unattractive, unsightly, vile; appalling, awful, dreadful, foul, horrendous, horrid, nauseating, noisome, obnoxious, obscene, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening

Antonyms abhorrent, abominable, detestable, hateful, loathsome, odious, unlovable