What does maudlinness mean?
Maudlinness is an uncountable noun meaning excessive sentimentality, especially the tendency to become tearful, self-pitying, or melodramatic. It is usually critical rather than neutral: calling a performance or story maudlin suggests that its emotional display has become excessive, perhaps insincere, or calculated to provoke tears. The related adjective maudlin is commonly used before nouns such as “sentimentality,” “tears,” or “emotionalism,” while the adverb maudlinly describes an excessively emotional manner. Maudlinness can describe personal behavior, artistic choices, and the overall tone of a work, often in discussions of film, literature, music, or popular culture. Its history is unusually vivid: the word ultimately derives from the name of Mary Magdalene, traditionally portrayed as the weeping, penitent figure in Christian art.
nounExcessive, often tearful sentimentality; an excessively emotional or self-pitying display.
- Excessive sentimentality or tearfulness
- An excessively emotional, self-pitying, or melodramatic manner
"The film was dismissed by critics as sentimental maudlinness rather than serious drama."
"The novel's final pages are overwhelmed by maudlinness and lose sight of their characters."
"She dismissed the song as pure maudlinness rather than a genuine expression of grief."
This is normally an uncountable noun and is not used with a plural form.
"The performance was criticized for its maudlinness."
Maudlinness comes from Mary Magdalene, whose tearful image in Christian art helped turn her name into a byword for teary-eyed emotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does maudlinness come from?
The word comes through French from the name of Mary Magdalene, whose traditional depiction as a weeping penitent made her name associated with tearful emotion in the early modern period. The English adjective maudlin originally referred to someone resembling Mary Magdalene or displaying the tearful devotion associated with her, before developing its modern sense of excessively sentimental. Maudlinness is the noun formed from that adjective.
Related word forms
How maudlinness is actually used
The term is generally critical and implies that emotion is excessive, insincere, or self-indulgent. It is most often used in cultural criticism and literary discussion.
Easily confused with maudlinness
Mawkish describes exaggerated sentiment that is often excessively sweet or affecting, while maudlinness specifically emphasizes excessive emotion, especially tearfulness or self-pity.