- Today's Word
Cloying
CLOY-ing
Definition
(adjective) Excessively sweet, sentimental, or rich to the point of being unpleasant.
Example
The romance in the movie was so cloying, it felt like satire.
Fun Fact
Originally from a Middle English word meaning “to satiate,” cloying refers to anything that overwhelms with sweetness—whether it’s actual sugar or emotional overkill. You’ll find it in critiques of everything from pop music lyrics to marketing campaigns that try way too hard to be heartwarming.
(adjective) Severe or strict in manner or appearance; having no comforts or luxuries; pleasingly simple and unadorned.
The monastery’s austere design — bare stone walls, minimal furniture, and no decoration — was intentional, meant to keep the monks focused on contemplation rather than comfort.
Austere comes from the Greek austēros, meaning “harsh” or “rough to the taste,” originally used to describe the bitter, drying quality of unripe fruit. The word passed into Latin as austerus and then into Old French before arriving in English in the 14th century. Its early use referred to physical sensations before expanding to describe strict, unadorned behavior and environments.