sugary

UK: ˈʃʊɡəri | US: ˈʃʊɡəri

Definition

  1. adj. containing or resembling sugar; sweet in taste or appearance

  2. adj. excessively sweet or sentimental

Structure
sugar <sweet crystalline substance>y <adjective suffix meaning "full of">
Etymology

The word "sugary" combines "sugar," derived from the Old French sucre and ultimately from Arabic sukkar, with the English adjectival suffix "-y." The suffix "-y" (from Old English -ig) transforms nouns into adjectives, indicating a characteristic or abundance (e.g., "cloudy," "salty"). Thus, "sugary" literally means "full of sugar" or "having the qualities of sugar," extending metaphorically to describe overly sweet behavior or style.

Examples

  1. The doughnuts were overly sugary and left a sticky residue.

  2. Her sugary tone made the compliment seem insincere.

  3. Avoid sugary drinks to maintain healthy teeth.

  4. The frosting was so sugary that it made my teeth ache.

  5. He wrote a sugary love letter filled with clichés.