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 That win is obsolete and is unrelated to today's win—referring to victory and coming from Old English winnan, "to struggle, suffer, or acquire."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
Image Image The advanced normcore case landed strongest at the showroom of Carter Altman, a winsome 26-year-old Detroit native working in London who designs under the name Carter Young.
—
Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The Ferrari Mondial uses the same layout as the Evora, and while opinions on the Italian’s styling are, to put it nicely, mixed, not many complain about the Lotus’ winsome lines and curvy good looks.
—Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2024
The Beatles are kind of like family, and so is the winsome Cilla Black (Darci Shaw), one of his growing roster of artists.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
This is to say nothing of the VIP campground’s hair-and-cosmetics salon, which offers compris stylings of updos and bohemian braids, plus body and face applications of a winsome biodegradable glitter.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
The Ferrari Mondial uses the same layout as the Evora, and while opinions on the Italian’s styling are, to put it nicely, mixed, not many complain about the Lotus’ winsome lines and curvy good looks.
—Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2024
The Beatles are kind of like family, and so is the winsome Cilla Black (Darci Shaw), one of his growing roster of artists.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
This is to say nothing of the VIP campground’s hair-and-cosmetics salon, which offers compris stylings of updos and bohemian braids, plus body and face applications of a winsome biodegradable glitter.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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 23 Feb. 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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