Corny: meaning, definitions and examples

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corny

[ ˈkɔːrni ]

Adjective

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing something as old-fashioned or outdated

Corny is used to describe something that is considered outdated, unoriginal, or overly sentimental. It is often used in a negative context to criticize something as lacking in sophistication or being too cheesy.

Synonyms

cheesy, old-fashioned, sentimental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
corny	Used to describe something overly sentimental, predictable, or clichéd; often makes people roll their eyes. That movie was so corny, I guessed the ending after the first 10 minutes. Her speech was corny, filled with overused phrases like 'follow your dreams.'
cheesy	Typically used to describe something insincerely sentimental or tacky; can also refer to things that are low-quality or exaggerated. The decorations at the party were so cheesy, with plastic flowers everywhere. He gave her a cheesy pick-up line, and she just walked away.
old-fashioned	Describes something from a previous era, typically outdated or out of style; can be used positively to suggest charm or negatively to imply it is behind the times. I love the old-fashioned charm of this small town. His ideas are old-fashioned, not aligning with modern thinking.
sentimental	Used to describe a strong emotional attachment or tenderness, often related to memories or feelings; not necessarily negative but can imply excess emotion. She kept all her childhood toys for sentimental reasons. He gave a sentimental toast at the wedding, making everyone tear up.

Examples of usage

That joke is so corny, I can't believe you still find it funny.
The movie's plot was predictable and corny, with cliché dialogue and over-the-top acting.

Translations

Translations of the word "corny" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cafona

🇮🇳 घिसा-पिटा

🇩🇪 kitschig

🇮🇩 klise

🇺🇦 банальний

🇵🇱 banalny

🇯🇵 陳腐な

🇫🇷 ringard

🇪🇸 cursi

🇹🇷 banal

🇰🇷 진부한

🇸🇦 مبتذل

🇨🇿 otřepaný

🇸🇰 ošúchaný

🇨🇳 陈腐的

🇸🇮 banalen

🇮🇸 klisjukenndur

🇰🇿 клише

🇬🇪 ბანალური

🇦🇿 banal

🇲🇽 cursi

Etymology

The word 'corny' originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It is believed to have come from the word 'corn,' which was used to describe something simple or unsophisticated. Over time, 'corny' evolved to mean something that is overly sentimental or lacking in sophistication. The term became popular in the early to mid-20th century and is still commonly used today to describe things that are considered old-fashioned or cliché.

See also: corn, cornbread, corner, cornet.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,517 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
30514 devaluations
30515 airily
30516 betokened
30517 corny
30518 terrorize
30519 mortify
30520 kitchenette
...