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

A sanguine temper would say ten or twelve; let me dare to hope humbly for five or six.

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He wasn’t as sanguine about Cliffs’ rare earths plans.

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The big banks, which are among the first to report, have been pretty sanguine about the economy, Boockvar says.

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Those overly sanguine predictions contrast with the increasing number of bricks being added daily to the wall of worry that the bull market currently climbs.

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Some officials are nervous about a sudden deterioration in labor demand and more sanguine about inflation.

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Related Words

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