Micawber

noun

Mi·​caw·​ber mi-ˈkȯ-bər How to pronounce Micawber (audio)
-ˈkä-
: one who is poor but lives in optimistic expectation of better fortune
Micawberish adjective

Examples of Micawber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He’s got the twinkly eye and the sly, gregarious spiritual ease of a Micawber or a Cheeryble. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2024 The smallest of the Micawber brood glides away in his baby carriage, because the bailiff is dragging the hallway carpet out from under the front door. Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, 16 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Micawber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Wilkins Micawber, character in the novel David Copperfield (1849–50) by Charles Dickens

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Micawber was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near Micawber

Cite this Entry

“Micawber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Micawber. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

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