: being or marked by an unsophisticated, self-conscious, or self-effacing manner
an aw-shucks grin

Examples of aw-shucks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The aw-shucks, nose-to-the-grindstone image is the real deal, insist friends and family from back in the sprawling Phoenix suburbs. Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 Their tone departed from the more wholesome, aw-shucks style of KVN. Simon Shuster, TIME, 4 Jan. 2024 In hopes of winning an illustrious scholarship, Coriolanus takes on an unexpected assignment: as mentor for Hunger Games participant Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a nomadic musician boasting an aw-shucks affectation and affinity for serpents. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023 In a Capitol full of swagger, Rivas’ vibe is decidedly aw-shucks. Laurel Rosenhall, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Wilson puts most of his aw-shucks charm to the side to play this spacey wannabe, portraying Eli instead with a pitiable whine or some far-out detachment. Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023 The aw-shucks sentimentality with which Smith paints his own role in the story—just a kid with dreams of working hard!—is one of the book’s many recurring stylistic tics. Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 18 Apr. 2023 Davis outacts Damon and Affleck, and Deloris outmaneuvers their shambling, aw-shucks professionalism — a shameless vaudeville routine by Hollywood sharks. Armond White, National Review, 12 Apr. 2023 Just by flashing his aw-shucks grin, Wiggins can ease locker-room tensions. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aw-shucks was in 1951

Dictionary Entries Near aw-shucks

Cite this Entry

“Aw-shucks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aw-shucks. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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