winsome
adjective
win·some
ˈwin(t)-səm 
1
: generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence
a winsome smile
2
winsomely
adverb
winsomeness
noun
Did you know?
Winsome comes from Old English wynn, meaning "joy" or "pleasure," which was altered in spelling to win (with the same meaning). That win is obsolete and is unrelated to today's win—referring to victory and coming from Old English winnan, "to struggle, suffer, or acquire." The adjective winning, meaning "tending to please or delight," as in "a winning smile" or "winning ways," is believed to be from the victorious win.
Synonyms
Examples of winsome in a Sentence
He had a winsome, boyish smile.
she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone
Recent Examples on the Web
Kendrick also stars as Sheryl, a struggling LA actress who is persuaded to go on The Dating Game by friends, and her typically winsome, spunky performance—and able direction— lifts Woman of the Hour to the next level.
—
Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane’s wistfully winsome remake opts for a more human-scale romance—and, in doing so, becomes the rare film-to-TV adaptation that surpasses its source material.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2024
Sadly, Paul King was too busy making Wonka to return to direct the third installment in this winsome series about a talking bear who loves marmalade sandwiches (and Emily Mortimer has taken over the role once played by Sally Hawkins).
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
Trending on Billboard Like her winsome take on jungle, it is decorated with curiosities across varying aesthetics, but the space looks invitingly lived-in.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024
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Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane’s wistfully winsome remake opts for a more human-scale romance—and, in doing so, becomes the rare film-to-TV adaptation that surpasses its source material.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2024
Sadly, Paul King was too busy making Wonka to return to direct the third installment in this winsome series about a talking bear who loves marmalade sandwiches (and Emily Mortimer has taken over the role once played by Sally Hawkins).
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024
Trending on Billboard Like her winsome take on jungle, it is decorated with curiosities across varying aesthetics, but the space looks invitingly lived-in.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for winsome
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Dictionary Entries Near winsome
Cite this Entry
“Winsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winsome. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
winsome
adjective
win·some
ˈwin(t)-səm
1
: having a charming or pleasing quality
a winsome smile
2
: cheerful sense 1a
a winsome mood
winsomely
adverb
winsomeness
noun
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