sweetly or innocently charming; winning; engaging:
a winsome smile.
Origin
before 900;Middle Englishwinsom,Old Englishwynsum, equivalent to wyn joy (see wynn) + -sum-some1
Related forms
winsomely, adverb
winsomeness, noun
unwinsome, adjective
Examples from the web for winsome
To-day it was the winsome one, bringing always flowers as sweet as herself.
But the future of these winsome primates is in doubt.
Reading vintage bartending manuals can be a winsome treat.
Now it is time to celebrate the saucy little street urchins, the winsome starvelings.
Many actors could have been too winsome or ingenuous in the part of such a professional good guy.
There is an winsome aesthetic quality to scrupulous adherence to the pursuit of scientific truth.
He wished not his view but truth to prevail-which explains the winsome cordiality of his demeanour towards other savants.
The biggest loss, though, is that many of the newer books have edited out the winsome tag lines from the editors and contributors.
Questioning the right of someone to stand somewhere is not a winsome post to write.
She's petulant and winsome, as if her entire life is the result of performance anxiety.
British Dictionary definitions for winsome
winsome
/ˈwɪnsəm/
adjective
1.
charming; winning; engaging: a winsome smile
Derived Forms
winsomely, adverb winsomeness, noun
Word Origin
Old English wynsum, from wynn joy (related to Old High German wunnia, German Wonne) + -sum-some1
Word Origin and History for winsome
adj.
Old English wynsum "agreeable, pleasant," from wynn "pleasure, delight" (cf. German Wonne "joy, delight;" see win (v.)) + -sum (see -some (1)). Apparently surviving only in northern English dialect for 400 years until revived 18c. by Hamilton, Burns, and other Scottish poets.