winsome
adjective
win·some
ˈwin(t)-səm 
1
: generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence
a winsome smile
2
winsomely
adverb
winsomeness
noun
Did you know?
Winsome comes from Old English wynn, meaning "joy" or "pleasure," which was altered in spelling to win (with the same meaning). That win is obsolete and is unrelated to today's win—referring to victory and coming from Old English winnan, "to struggle, suffer, or acquire." The adjective winning, meaning "tending to please or delight," as in "a winning smile" or "winning ways," is believed to be from the victorious win.
Examples of winsome in a Sentence
He had a winsome, boyish smile.
she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone
Recent Examples on the Web
The little girl who had been playing Annie was so beautiful and winsome.
—
Mark Seliger, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the film remains one of the most charming, winsome depictions of super-smart science whizzes idealistically hoping to change the world for the better with their work.
—ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
The rest of the picture is largely winsome and inoffensive.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Much of their set was made up of winsome, unpretentious alt-country songs about old memories and strong feelings.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Seliger, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the film remains one of the most charming, winsome depictions of super-smart science whizzes idealistically hoping to change the world for the better with their work.
—ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
The rest of the picture is largely winsome and inoffensive.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Much of their set was made up of winsome, unpretentious alt-country songs about old memories and strong feelings.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Cite this Entry
“Winsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winsome. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
winsome
adjective
win·some
ˈwin(t)-səm
1
: having a charming or pleasing quality
a winsome smile
2
: cheerful sense 1a
a winsome mood
winsomely
adverb
winsomeness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share