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corniness

corniness

1 6.0
Being sentimental and old-fashioned in a way that feels silly or embarrassing
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrnɪnəs/
  • Informal
translation icon : cursilería
  • Dade winces at his own corniness.

Examples

  • Hey Tim, I tried to contact you through Amy, but she said you were hopefully this works. "I am a long-time fan and a first-time writer" and have read your book at least 15 times. Now that the corniness is over, I was wondering if I could get your input on something. A few seconds of your time could save me years; I will try to keep this as short as possible.

    Blog text (15)
  • His speech was filled with corniness, referencing outdated jokes that made the audience laugh awkwardly.

  • Such corniness, I tell you.

    Blog text (17)
  • So it's like, to your point, that's where the corniness or like the cringiness even comes in.

  • At this point, it's become clear that the majority of the rampant unintended corniness of "Vegas" stems from Ralph Lamb and each crime-of-the-week.

    Blog text (8)
  • The film is known for its charming corniness, with predictable plots and heartwarming clichés.

  • Even though the poem was full of corniness, we couldn't help but smile at its sincerity.

Synonyms

schmaltz
vscorniness
4 9.5

An overly emotional style in art like songs or films

is broader covering playful or old-fashioned sentiment beyond art
cheesiness
vscorniness
  • Informal
1 4.9

A feeling that something is silly because it is cheap or too sentimental

is more often old-fashioned and can seem charming or embarrassing
soupiness
vscorniness
  • Literature
8.3

A feeling that is too emotional in a story or film

can be sincere or amusing rather than mainly insincere
hokeyness
vscorniness
  • Informal
8.1

A feeling of being silly and fake that others do not take seriously

may appear charming or embarrassing rather than simply fake

Antonyms

54 6.8

A small important detail that is hard to notice

47 3.5

A graceful, stylish way of looking or behaving that shows good taste

Being refined and cultured with wide experience of the world

How Corny

kitsch
15 8.1
corniness
  • Informal
1 6.0
camp
7.9

Surface Forms

corniness singular
corninesses plural

Morphology

corniness = corny (transparent) = corny + ness

The addition of '-ness' to 'corny' clearly denotes the state or quality of being corny.

Etymology

The word corniness comes from corny, which used to mean 'from the country' or 'common', and is linked to corn, the simple grain. So corniness describes something that feels plain, old-fashioned, or too emotional.