To be optimistic that "something will turn up", in the style of Wilkins Micawber.
Used in a Sentence
micawber
Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for micawber.
Editorial note
I did like Charles Dickens who has Mr Micawber say ‘Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 [pounds] 19 [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
Examples16
Definitions3
Parts of speech2
Quick take
To be optimistic that "something will turn up", in the style of Wilkins Micawber.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of micawber gathered in one view.
A person who is poor but eternally optimistic, believing that "something will turn up", like the fictional character Wilkins Micawber in the 1850 Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.
Alternative letter-case form of Micawber; a person of modest income or background who remains optimistic that their situation will improve. [A person who is poor but eternally optimistic, believing that "something will turn up", like the fictional character Wilkins Micawber in the 1850 Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.]
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for micawber.
verb
To be optimistic that "something will turn up", in the style of Wilkins Micawber.
noun
A person who is poor but eternally optimistic, believing that "something will turn up", like the fictional character Wilkins Micawber in the 1850 Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.
noun
Alternative letter-case form of Micawber; a person of modest income or background who remains optimistic that their situation will improve. [A person who is poor but eternally optimistic, believing that "something will turn up", like the fictional character Wilkins Micawber in the 1850 Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.]
Example sentences
I did like Charles Dickens who has Mr Micawber say ‘Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 [pounds] 19 [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
The Micawber principle (from David Copperfield) comes to mind here: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
Per Micawber's Principle: Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
Isn't Micawber's philosophy that something good will hopefully turn up?
Micawber and of course was intimately acquainted with poverty, but by the time Dickens wrote that he was as rich as a 19th century rock star.
With regards to money and happiness, I think the Micawber principle states it best: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
Reminds me of Dickens: "Mr Micawber's famous, and oft-quoted, recipe for happiness: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
> Mr Micawber's famous, and oft-quoted, recipe for happiness: > > "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
Micawber, one of those happy creations of the genial Dickens, puts the case in a strong light when he says that to have annual income of twenty pounds per annum, and spend twenty pounds and sixpence, is to be the most miserable of men; whereas, to have an income of only twenty pounds, and spend but nineteen pounds and sixpence is to be the happiest of mortals.
Quote examples
The Micawber principle (from David Copperfield) comes to mind here: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
With regards to money and happiness, I think the Micawber principle states it best: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
Reminds me of Dickens: "Mr Micawber's famous, and oft-quoted, recipe for happiness: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
> Mr Micawber's famous, and oft-quoted, recipe for happiness: > > "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
Proper noun examples
Per Micawber's Principle: Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds nineteen and six, result happiness.
Isn't Micawber's philosophy that something good will hopefully turn up?
Micawber and of course was intimately acquainted with poverty, but by the time Dickens wrote that he was as rich as a 19th century rock star.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use micawber in a sentence?
I did like Charles Dickens who has Mr Micawber say ‘Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 [pounds] 19 [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness.
What does micawber mean?
To be optimistic that "something will turn up", in the style of Wilkins Micawber.
What part of speech is micawber?
micawber is commonly used as verb, noun.