English vocabulary · C1
Sanguine
/ˈsæŋɡwɪn/ · adj.
It means staying hopeful and positive, even when things look bad.
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Example sentences
- He stayed sanguine despite the bad news.
- Her sanguine outlook kept the team going.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- sanguis — blood (from Latin)
- ine — full of (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- OPTIMISTIC (expecting positive outcomes)
- UPBEAT (maintaining cheerful confidence)
- HOPEFUL (trusting things will get better)
Words with the same root
sanguis — blood
- consanguine — related by blood — from the same family lineage
- sanguinary — involving much bloodshed — extremely violent
Lesson notes
Sanguine. It means staying hopeful and positive, even when things look bad.
Similar words are optimistic, upbeat, and hopeful. Use sanguine when someone stays positive despite real reasons to worry.
He stayed sanguine despite the bad news. Her sanguine outlook kept the team going.
From Latin. Sanguis means blood. Full of blood meant full of life: that bright, warm feeling is sanguine.