soony

A young woman feels soony while reading a heartfelt letter.

Definition

1. Adjective (Australian English, informal):
   • Sentimental or emotional: "soony" describes someone who is overly sentimental, mawkish, or easily moved to tears. It carries a slightly derogatory or dismissive tone, implying a lack of emotional toughness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • He's a bit soony; he cries at every sad movie. (He is overly emotional or sentimental.)
  • Don't be so soony about leaving — we'll see each other soon. (Don't be overly emotional or mawkish.)

Advanced Usage

• "soony" as a personal trait: Often used to criticize someone for being too soft or tender-hearted, especially in contexts where stoicism is valued.
  • The coach told the player to stop being so soony and focus on the game. (Stop being overly sentimental or weak.)

Variants and Related Words

• Soony (adj) is the base form; no common variants or derived forms are widely used.
• Soony may be related to "soon" (adv) in sound, but the meaning is unrelated.

Synonyms

• Sentimental: prone to emotion, often with nostalgia or tenderness.
• Mawkish: excessively sentimental, often in a sickening or insincere way.
• Soft-hearted: easily moved to pity or sympathy.

Related Idioms

• "To have a soony heart": an informal phrase meaning to be too emotional or tender-hearted.
  • He has a soony heart; he'll forgive anyone who apologizes. (He is overly forgiving or emotional.)

Note on Usage

• Regional: This word is primarily used in Australian English and is considered informal. It is not common in British or American English.
• Connotation: "Soony" often carries a negative or teasing tone, suggesting that the person is weak or overly sensitive.