corny
Groan-worthy, joke-wise
Corny describes something so sentimental, outdated, or obvious that it feels trite or embarrassing—a corny joke, a corny pickup line, a corny movie.
The word suggests excessive sweetness or predictability: I know it sounds corny, but I really do believe in true love.
Something corny isn't necessarily bad—it can be endearing in its earnestness—but it lacks sophistication or originality.
Excessively sentimental
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- mushySoft or saccharine
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
- maudlinExcessively tearful sentiment
cheesy · gushy · syrupy · sugary · tearjerker · weepy · melodramatic · overwrought
Overused and unoriginal
- overusedEmployed too frequently
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
- worn-outDepleted through overuse
unoriginal · derivative · threadbare · shopworn · stale · formulaic · rehashed · banal
Vulgar or slightly sticky
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- kitschyTastelessly popular or sentimental
- schlockyCheap and shoddy
- gaudyTastelessly ornate
chintzy · novelty · gimmicky · plastic · cheap · garish · over-the-top · flamboyant
Wordplay using double meanings
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- groan-worthyMeriting pained reaction
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- eye-rollGesture of exasperation
knee-slapper · vaudeville · slapstick · shtick · gag · wisecrack · zinger · rimshot
sappy
Excessively sentimental
- schmaltzyExcessively and insincerely sentimental
- mushySoft or saccharine
- saccharineExaggeratedly sentimental
maudlin · cheesy · gushy · syrupy · sugary · tearjerker · weepy · melodramatic · overwrought · treacly
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
- overusedEmployed too frequently
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- tiredLacking energy, needing rest
worn-out · unoriginal · derivative · threadbare · shopworn · stale · formulaic · rehashed · banal · platitudinous
tacky
Vulgar or slightly sticky
- campyEntertainingly artificial and overblown
- kitschyTastelessly popular or sentimental
- schlockyCheap and shoddy
gaudy · chintzy · novelty · gimmicky · plastic · cheap · garish · over-the-top · flamboyant · carnival
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
- one-linerBrief standalone joke
- groan-worthyMeriting pained reaction
- cringeShrink from discomfort
eye-roll · knee-slapper · vaudeville · slapstick · shtick · gag · wisecrack · zinger · rimshot · hammy
- funnyfunny, comical, hilarious, humorous, amusing
- slang adjectivescool, awesome, dope, lit, sick
- sentimentalitymawkish, schmaltzy, saccharine, treacly, cloying
- media descriptorsdramatic, thrilling, suspenseful, emotional, atmospheric
- Grain Adjectivesgrainy, granular, wheaty, starchy, floury
- food idiomspiece of cake, bread winner, low-hanging fruit, cool as a cucumber, bad egg
cornysophisticated
Worldly and cultured
hip · cool · worldly · cosmopolitan · with-it
cornyoriginal
First or inventive
fresh · innovative · groundbreaking · novel · unique
cornyunsentimental
Lacking emotional softness
cynical · hard-boiled · sardonic · hardheaded · antisentimental
- corn on the cobWhole kernel-covered ear
- corn dogBattered frankfurter on stick
- sweet cornSugary maize variety
- corn chipsFried maize snacks
- corn syrupLiquid sweetener from maize
- cream cornMashed corn in liquid
corn, popcorn, unicorn, acorn, cornfield, cornmeal, cornbread, sweet corn, corncob