sappy

USAGE SUMMARY

"sappy" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an informal adjective that generally describes something overly sentimental, corny, or soppy. Example sentence: The sappy love story was so cliche that it made me cringe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cornell's art occupies a special place between the spooky and the sappy, and it is the spookiness that gives the sappiness its power.

The New Yorker

2) Her second single, a snappy R&B tune that contrasted sharply with the sappy balladry of her debut.

The Guardian

She complained about the debilitating effects of chemotherapy, recalcitrant insurance companies and, most daringly, "sappy pink ribbons".

The Economist

It is of high quality, but at least 30% more expensive to produce than the sappy Chilean alternative.

The Economist

"Subliminally, there is a political texture to 'plots' in 'these plots of cottage-ground'," he writes, quoting from the poem, "and it's hard not to ghost 'corpses' in 'copses', as 'unripe' in the previous line carries the r to touch 'copses' .The language that Mr Paulin celebrates with most gusto fresh-peeled, sappy" and of a "present-moment directness"—has its roots in common speech.

The Economist

He is also thought to be displeased with Mr Santos's choice of Juan Camilo Restrepo, a critic of many of his own policies, as agriculture minister, and with his successor's plans to undo his merging of several ministries.Mr Uribe first responded to Mr Santos's gestures of engagement by sneering at what he called "cosmetic", "sappy", and "hypocritical" diplomacy, without naming names.

The Economist

They both come to understand that "grace is not so poor a thing that it cannot present itself in any number of ways".This realisation, like Ames's character and his romance with Lila, avoids turning sappy.

The Economist

Smudged with sappy lesions and peppered with tiny holes, their trunks show signs of acute oak decline, a syndrome associated with boring beetles and bacteria, but nonetheless mysterious.There is, inevitably, a political dimension to these arboreal plagues.

The Economist

And the sappy acoustic cover of Nicki Minaj's "Starships" fails to fly.

Independent

Call me sappy all you like, but who can contend that a letter in the post isn't better than a stuffy text tapped out in a second?

Independent

The latest screen version of Annie – the fourth – has been taking quite a bashing from the US reviewers but doesn't seem markedly worse than any of its predecessors, or indeed than the original (and very sappy) musical itself.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sappy" judiciously in informal contexts to describe overly sentimental or emotional content. Avoid it in formal or professional writing where a more nuanced term is appropriate.

Common error

Refrain from using "sappy" in academic or professional settings. Opt for more precise and formal adjectives such as "sentimental", "emotional", or "mawkish" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "sappy" primarily functions to describe something as excessively sentimental or emotional. Ludwig examples show it being used to critique movies, music, and general expressions of sentimentality. According to Ludwig AI, it's an informal adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "sappy" is a common term used to describe something excessively sentimental or emotional, often in a derogatory way. Ludwig AI identifies it as an informal term, and this is confirmed by Ludwig's examples primarily drawn from news and media sources. While grammatically correct, "sappy" is best reserved for informal contexts, with more formal alternatives like "sentimental" or "mawkish" preferred in professional or academic writing. Its function is primarily to convey a negative judgment, and as such, its usage should be carefully considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly sentimental

Focuses on the excessiveness of the sentiment, similar to "sappy".

excessively emotional

Highlights the intensity of emotion, akin to the feeling described by "sappy".

mushy

Informal term emphasizing the soft and overly affectionate nature, close to "sappy".

corny

Describes something as predictable and lacking originality in its sentimentality, like "sappy".

cheesy

Similar to corny, indicating a lack of sophistication or originality in expressing emotion, as with "sappy".

mawkish

Suggests a sickeningly sentimental quality, similar to a negative connotation of "sappy".

lachrymose

Describes a tendency to weep or be tearful, relating to the overly emotional aspect of "sappy".

gushing

Implies an unrestrained and effusive expression of emotion, similar to "sappy".

effusive

Like gushing, describes an overly enthusiastic and emotional expression, akin to "sappy".

over-the-top

Indicates an exaggeration or excessiveness in emotional display, resembling the qualities of "sappy".

FAQs

How can I use "sappy" in a sentence?

You can use "sappy" to describe something that is excessively sentimental or emotional. For example, "The movie had a "sappy" ending that made everyone cry".

What's a good alternative to "sappy"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overly sentimental", "mushy", or "corny".

Is it okay to use "sappy" in formal writing?

Generally, it's best to avoid "sappy" in formal writing as it's considered informal. Opt for more formal alternatives like "sentimental" or "mawkish".

What does "sappy" mean in the context of music?

In music, "sappy" often describes songs with overly sentimental lyrics or melodies, especially ballads. These songs are often criticized for being "cheesy" or lacking originality.