winsome

[win-suh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR winsome ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging: a winsome smile.

Origin of winsome

before 900; Middle English winsom, Old English wynsum, equivalent to wyn joy (see wynn) + -sum -some¹

Related formswin·some·ly, adverbwin·some·ness, nounun·win·some, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for winsome

engaging, cute, delightful, appealing, captivating, absorbing, alluring, attractive, charismatic, dainty, delicate, desirable, elegant, eye-catching, fascinating, glamorous, inviting, irresistible, lovable, pleasant

Examples from the Web for winsome

Contemporary Examples of winsome

With her open Midwestern face and winsome smile, it was easy for her to get into conversations.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story
Jacob Siegel
March 4, 2014
Winsome is what the GOP is scrambling for these days, and on that Rubio delivered.
Marco Rubio Winsome in Response to Obama, Rand Paul Mostly Feisty
Michelle Cottle
February 13, 2013

Historical Examples of winsome

Under her winsome smile, at last, he regained the use of his tongue.
Welsh Fairy Tales
William Elliott Griffis
Then was laughter of liegemen loud resounding with winsome words.
Beowulf
Anonymous
"It were a winsome wee thing," he said, faintly, and then turned away.
A Son of Hagar
Sir Hall Caine
The face as he saw it then was no longer the face of the winsome bride.
The Manxman
Hall Caine
She was little changed, this winsome lady in the time that was sped.
The Shame of Motley
Raphael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for winsome

winsome

adjective

charming; winning; engaginga winsome smile

Derived Formswinsomely, adverbwinsomeness, noun

Word Origin for winsome

Old English wynsum, from wynn joy (related to Old High German wunnia, German Wonne) + -sum -some 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for winsome

adj.

Old English wynsum "agreeable, pleasant," from wynn "pleasure, delight" (cf. German Wonne "joy, delight;" see win (v.)) + -sum (see -some (1)). Apparently surviving only in northern English dialect for 400 years until revived 18c. by Hamilton, Burns, and other Scottish poets.