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

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Despite the increase in inflation in September, ECB leaders are sanguine about potential pressures on prices.

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Related Words

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