sanguine

[sang-gwin]

adjective

1. cheerfully optimistic, sometimes to the point of seeming complacent, oblivious, or naive.

   a sanguine disposition;

   sanguine expectations.

   Synonyms: positive, optimistic, hopeful, confident, cheerful, buoyant, assured
   Antonyms: morose

2. reddish; ruddy.

   a sanguine complexion.

3. (in old physiology) having blood as the predominating humor and consequently being ruddy-faced, cheerful, etc.

4. bloody; sanguinary.

5. blood-red; red.

6. Heraldry.,  a reddish-purple tincture.

noun

1. a red iron-oxide crayon used in making drawings.

sanguine

/ ˈsæŋɡwɪn /

adjective

1. cheerful and confident; optimistic

2. (esp of the complexion) ruddy in appearance

3. blood-red

4. an obsolete word for sanguinary

noun

1. Also called: red chalk. a red pencil containing ferric oxide, used in drawing

Other Word Forms

• sanguinely adverb
• sanguinity noun
• sanguinness noun
• nonsanguine adjective
• nonsanguinely adverb
• nonsanguineness noun
• oversanguine adjective
• oversanguinely adverb
• oversanguineness noun
• presanguine adjective
• quasi-sanguine adjective
• quasi-sanguinely adverb
• supersanguine adjective
• supersanguinity noun
• unsanguine adjective
• unsanguinely adverb
• sanguineness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguine¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English sanguyne “a blood-red cloth,” from Old French sanguin, from Latin sanguineus “bloody,” equivalent to sanguin-, stem of sanguis “blood” + -eus -eous

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanguine¹

C14: from Latin sanguineus bloody, from sanguis blood

Example Sentences

Her sanguine — and mischievously macabre — response belies the fact that the fire, coupled with the long years of the COVID-19 pandemic, caused an extended fallow period during which she completely stopped creating art.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Brown is sanguine about AI’s potential; he is not inclined to join the dystopian camp that regards it as an existential threat.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Until now, he’s avoided the side of humanity that’s lighter, more sanguine and less condemned.

Read more on Salon

The question is whether the rest of the country will be so sanguine.

Read more on Salon

He was able to stay sanguine during the doping controversy and has also moved on quickly from the brutal nature of his French Open defeat.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• buoyant 
• cheerful 
• confident 
• enthusiastic 
• hopeful 
• upbeat