sanguine

USAGE SUMMARY

'sanguine' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "cheerfully optimistic" or "confidently optimistic" and is usually used in reference to a person's outlook or attitude. For example, "My friend's sanguine attitude gave me hope that things would work out favorably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nearby, a colleague who had carried out four burials that day, was less sanguine.

The Guardian

Other observers in the music industry are not so sanguine about the arrival of this international musical stew.

The Guardian - Music

He must remain sanguine in the face of idiocy.

The Guardian

But as someone upset in the past by social media, and who enjoyed a "Famous Five-style childhood" on a farm, the TV presenter has a more sanguine approach to children's use of new technology than might be expected.

The Guardian - Books

Maybe they'll be sucking the oil from under our land – that's not really fair, is it?" Another few hundred metres down the road and Elaine Gover, who has lived in the area all her life, watched another truck of fencing material rumble towards the drilling site, as a news helicopter clattered overhead, with a more sanguine air.

The Guardian - Business

Nevertheless the players present at the draw party were sanguine about the outcome.

The Guardian - Sport

"George Clooney's engaged!" She rolls her eyes: "Oh, who cares?" …"Who to?" Yesterday, the Guardian's Ryan Gilbey took the sanguine view that this news was "unlikely" to have any impact on the dreams and fantasies of Clooney's audience who after all, he suggests, are "older" and have "enough experiences" to cope with the idea that glorious George ("silver-fox/commitment-phobe") is in fact taken.

The Guardian - Opinion

Newman remains impressively sanguine throughout the next few hours of what is evidently not a birthday party, even when a police officer calls to ask if there is any trouble.

The Guardian

But when people were asked about their personal lives, families and their local communities there was a more sanguine response.

The Guardian

For its part, Washington's foreign policy establishment is sanguine about opposition from the Gulf – just as it has been about more vocal criticism of the Iran deal from Israel.

The Guardian

Civil liberties attorneys are not as sanguine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for academic and scientific contexts, pair the phrase "sanguine outlook" to create stronger professional writing tone.

Common error

Avoid using "sanguine" simply as a synonym for "happy" or "cheerful". While it implies a positive outlook, its core meaning revolves around a confident expectation of a favorable outcome, often in challenging situations. Ensure the context reflects this deeper sense of assurance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sanguine" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing a state of cheerful confidence or optimism. Examples from Ludwig AI show it qualifying nouns like "air", "approach", or referring to general expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sanguine" functions as an adjective to describe a cheerfully confident and optimistic outlook. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. While it shares semantic ground with words like "optimistic" and "hopeful", it specifically conveys a confident expectation of a positive outcome, especially in challenging situations. Remember to use "sanguine" to describe a situation that inspires optimism or confidence and avoid using it as a synonym for "happy" or "cheerful".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

optimistic

Focuses on a general expectation of positive outcomes, lacking the nuance of cheerfulness often associated with "sanguine".

hopeful

Emphasizes a desire for a positive outcome, potentially implying less certainty than "sanguine".

positive

Represents a general affirmative outlook, which can be less specific than the confident optimism of "sanguine".

confident

Highlights assurance in one's abilities or the likelihood of success, rather than a cheerful disposition.

assured

Indicates certainty or conviction, which may not always align with a cheerful outlook.

upbeat

Emphasizes a cheerful and energetic mood, potentially lacking the depth of conviction in "sanguine".

buoyant

Describes a resilient and cheerful attitude, often in the face of difficulty, slightly different from a general optimistic disposition.

cheerful

Focuses primarily on a state of happiness and lightheartedness, rather than confidence in a positive outcome.

rosy

Suggests an overly optimistic or idealistic view, potentially lacking realism.

enthusiastic

Emphasizes excitement and eagerness, which may not always be tied to a confident expectation of success.

FAQs

How is "sanguine" typically used in a sentence?

"Sanguine" is usually employed as an adjective to describe someone's optimistic or confident outlook. For example, "Despite the challenges, she remained "sanguine" about the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "sanguine" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "optimistic", "hopeful", or "confident". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it correct to use "sanguine" to describe a situation, or only a person's outlook?

While "sanguine" primarily describes a person's outlook, it can also be used to describe a situation that inspires optimism or confidence. However, be mindful that its core meaning revolves around a positive expectation, not just a positive feeling.

What is the difference between "sanguine" and "complacent"?

"Sanguine" implies a confident optimism, often in the face of challenges, whereas "complacent" suggests a self-satisfied lack of concern, potentially leading to inaction. "Sanguine" is about positive expectation; "complacent" is about being unconcerned.