sappy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈæpi/
US
- /sˈæpi/
Description
- overly sentimental
- too emotional
- mushy
If a movie makes you cry way too easily, it might be described as sappy. It means overly emotional or sentimental, often in a way that feels a bit forced or just too sweet. Think of something with so much feeling poured into it that it starts to feel like too much.
Sappy things are not necessarily bad; they are just a little over the top with the feelings. A love song can be sappy, a greeting card can be sappy, and even a person can be described that way if they get emotional very easily. It is often used to playfully tease someone who tears up quickly or speaks in a very sweet, sentimental way.
The word "sappy" describes something that is excessively sentimental, emotionally exaggerated, or overly sweet. It usually suggests that the feelings being shown are more than the situation seems to need. Think of a movie with swelling music, a tearful reunion, and a perfect speech about love and friendship; many people would call that sappy.
It is often used for stories, songs, cards, movies, or speeches that push hard on emotion. A romantic comedy can feel sappy if it leans too much on sweet moments and familiar lines. A message can feel sappy if it sounds so warm and loving that it stops feeling natural. A person can also be called sappy if they often become emotional very quickly or speak in an overly sentimental way.
The tone is often mildly critical, but not always harsh. Sometimes people use it jokingly or affectionately, especially when teasing a friend for crying at a touching scene or for loving a very emotional song. In that sense, sappy does not always mean "bad"; it often just means "more sentimental than I want."
What counts as sappy is somewhat subjective. One person may find something heartfelt and moving, while another may think it is too sweet, too obvious, or trying too hard to get an emotional reaction. In general, if something feels heavily loaded with soft feelings, sweetness, or sentimental emotion, it can be called sappy.
Examples
- 1
Movie tone
The last scene was a bit sappy, but I still enjoyed the movie.
- 2
Birthday card
She wrote him a sappy birthday card full of hearts and sweet little jokes.
- 3
Personal praise
I know this will sound sappy, but I'm really proud of you.
Phrase
sound sappy
seem too emotional or sentimental
- 4
Emotional reaction
He gets sappy whenever an old love song comes on.
Phrase
get sappy
become more emotional or sentimental than usual
- 5
Wedding tone
We wanted the wedding to feel warm, not overly sappy.
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sappyadjective
Forms
- sappiercomparativeadjective
- sappiestsuperlativeadjective