maudlin

IPA/ˈmɔːdlɪn/
KK[mˈɔdlɪn]IPA/ˈmɔːdlɪn/

maudlin — adjective

  • maudlinpositive
  • more maudlincomparative
  • most maudlinsuperlative

1. in a state of tearful self-pity, usually because alcohol has lowered your emotio

1.形容詞B2
釋義

in a state of tearful self-pity, usually because alcohol has lowered your emotional defences and made you feel sorry for yourself

例句

After three glasses of wine, Sahil became maudlin and began crying about his childhood pet.

became maudlin + about — verb-preposition pattern

Lien's maudlin early-morning call worried her roommate, who had never seen her this way.

同義詞
  • weepy

    more informal, does not necessarily imply alcohol

  • lachrymose

    formal and literary, describes a tendency to cry easily

  • sentimental

    broader meaning; can be positive, unlike maudlin

反義詞
  • stoic

    calm and uncomplaining when facing difficulty

  • sober-minded

    clear-headed and rational, not clouded by drink or emotion

文法句型

be / become / get + maudlin

用法筆記

Often implies recent alcohol consumption — calling someone 'maudlin' usually suggests they have been drinking, especially in British and American usage. Rarely used for sober sadness.

常見錯誤

❌He felt maudlin after losing his job.
✅He felt dejected after losing his job.
💡maudlin specifically implies alcohol-induced self-pity, not general sadness without drinking.

2. showing emotions that feel too strong, soft, or tearful for the situation, in a

2.形容詞B2
釋義

showing emotions that feel too strong, soft, or tearful for the situation, in a way that seems insincere or calculated to get a reaction from others

例句

Selim found the wedding speech too maudlin — the best man cried at every memory.

too maudlin — intensifier before adjective

Iris skipped the maudlin scenes in the novel, finding the exaggerated emotions tiresome.

同義詞
  • sentimental

    can be neutral or positive; maudlin is always critical

  • mawkish

    very close synonym, describes sickly or overdone emotion

  • cloying

    suggests sweetness that becomes unpleasant or nauseating

  • saccharine

    suggests exaggerated sweetness, often in movies or music

反義詞
  • understated

    expressed in a quiet, simple way without excess emotion

  • restrained

    controlled and modest in emotional expression

  • dry

    using humour or detachment rather than sentiment

文法句型

maudlin + noun

too / rather / a bit + maudlin

用法筆記

Commonly negative — used to criticise art, writing, or behaviour that aims for emotion but feels manipulative or overdone. Unlike 'sentimental', which can be neutral or positive, 'maudlin' almost always carries disapproval.

常見錯誤

❌The children's laughter was maudlin.
✅The children's laughter was sweet and innocent.
💡maudlin only applies to excessive or insincere sentiment, not to genuine joy or warmth.