sugarish
|sug-ar-ish|
/ˈʃʊɡərɪʃ/
somewhat like sugar
Etymology
'sugarish' originates from English, formed by combining the noun 'sugar' and the adjectival suffix '-ish' (meaning 'having the quality of').
'sugar' entered English from Old French 'sucre', from Arabic 'sukkar', ultimately from Sanskrit 'śarkarā'; the suffix '-ish' goes back to Old English '-isc' and Germanic forms. The modern adjective 'sugarish' is a straightforward modern English formation from these elements.
Initially, the elements meant 'sugar' (the sweet substance) plus 'having the quality of'; over time this produced the adjective meaning 'somewhat like sugar' or 'slightly sweet', a meaning that remains in use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
somewhat sweet; having a mild sugary taste or quality.
The tea was sugarish—pleasantly sweet but not cloying.
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Adjective 2
figuratively, excessively sweet or sentimental in tone or manner (mildly pejorative).
His apology sounded sugarish and insincere.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 11:34