What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cutesy
Example
The cutesy cartoon characters on the packaging caught my eye. [cutesy: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a cutesy voice to try and get her way. [cutesy: adverb]
mawkish
Example
The movie's mawkish ending left me feeling unsatisfied. [mawkish: adjective]
Example
He wrote a mawkish love letter that made her cringe. [mawkish: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cutesy is more commonly used than mawkish in everyday language, especially in contexts that are geared towards children or a younger audience. Mawkish is less common and tends to be used in more formal or critical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cutesy and mawkish?
Mawkish is generally considered more formal and critical than cutesy, which is often associated with a more informal or playful tone.
