adj
Uncommon
corny
KAW-nee
Corny (adj) means Overly sentimental, old-fashioned, or unoriginal, especially in humor or storytelling. Example: “His jokes were so corny that everyone groaned instead of laughing.”
adj
1
Overly sentimental, old-fashioned, or unoriginal, especially in humor or storytelling.
"His jokes were so corny that everyone groaned instead of laughing."
"The movie's ending was sweet but a bit corny."
How to use corny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCheesy, unoriginal, or overly sentimental — usually said about jokes, lines, or films.
Common pairings
corny joke
corny line
so corny
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Word forms
- Comparative
- cornier, more corny
- Superlative
- corniest, most corny
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His jokes were so _____ that everyone groaned instead of laughing.
Etymology
From "corn" plus "-y." The "hackneyed" sense is said to come from cheap jokes once printed in mail-order seed catalogues aimed at farmers.
Synonyms
View more →
platitudinal
platitudinous
bromidic
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for corny
See all rhymes for corny →Frequently asked questions
What does “corny” mean?
The word “corny” means overly sentimental, old-fashioned, or unoriginal, especially in humor or storytelling. In plain terms, cheesy, unoriginal, or overly sentimental — usually said about jokes, lines, or films.
How do you pronounce “corny”?
“Corny” is pronounced KAW-nee (/ˈkɔɹni/ in IPA).
How do you use “corny” in a sentence?
Here is “corny” used in a sentence: “His jokes were so corny that everyone groaned instead of laughing.”
What part of speech is “corny”?
“Corny” is an adjective.
Is “corny” a common word?
“Corny” is an uncommon word in modern English.
