Emotionally: meaning, definitions and examples

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emotionally

 

[ɪˈməʊʃ(ə)nəli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a mental or psychological manner

Emotionally refers to something related to emotions, feelings, or mood. It describes how someone is feeling or reacting psychologically.

Synonyms

mentally, psychologically, spiritually.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
emotionally

Use this word when referring to feelings or how someone feels deeply inside. It deals with emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, or love.

  • She was emotionally exhausted after the funeral
  • He reacted emotionally to the news
mentally

This word refers to cognitive or intellectual aspects. It is related to thought processes, reasoning, and mental state.

  • She is mentally preparing for the big exam
  • He stays mentally sharp by solving puzzles
psychologically

Focus on the study of the mind and behavior. It has to do with psychological states and is more scientific or clinical.

  • The tragedy affected him psychologically
  • She sought help to understand her behavior psychologically
spiritually

When referring to matters of the spirit or soul, often connected with faith, religion, or personal beliefs.

  • He finds peace spiritually through meditation
  • The retreat was a spiritually enlightening experience

Examples of usage

  • She was emotionally drained after the breakup.
  • He was emotionally attached to his childhood home.
Context #2 | Adverb

in an expressive or passionate manner

Emotionally can also mean expressing strong feelings or passion. It is used to describe how someone is expressing their emotions.

Synonyms

dramatically, expressively, passionately.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
emotionally

Used when describing situations or actions involving strong feelings or emotions. Often utilized in personal conversations or narratives about sensitive subjects.

  • She spoke emotionally about her late mother.
  • The movie was emotionally moving, bringing many to tears.
passionately

Best used when describing actions or speech driven by strong enthusiasm or intense emotion. Suitable for contexts involving discussions of interests, beliefs, or affections.

  • She spoke passionately about social justice.
  • They kissed passionately, lost in the moment.
expressively

Used when referring to ways of conveying thoughts or feelings with clear and vivid expression. Common in contexts related to art, literature, or any form of communication that benefits from vivid depiction.

  • The poet writes very expressively, making her feelings come alive.
  • His face was expressively filled with joy as he received the news.
dramatically

Appropriate in contexts involving actions or behaviors that are exaggerated or theatrical. Often found in discussions about performances, or when describing changes and events that are sudden and striking.

  • He dramatically announced his resignation in front of the whole office.
  • The weather changed dramatically within a few hours.

Examples of usage

  • She sang the song emotionally, bringing tears to the audience's eyes.
  • He spoke emotionally about his love for the sport.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'emotion' comes from the French word 'émotion', meaning 'a movement out' or 'to stir up'.
  • It combines the prefix 'e-' (out) with the root 'movere', which means 'to move' in Latin, highlighting how feelings can move us.
  • Since the late 19th century, 'emotion' has been linked to both mental states and physiological responses.

Psychology

  • Psychologists define emotions as complex reactions to significant events, often involving physical reactions, thoughts, and behaviors.
  • The 'James-Lange Theory' posits that we feel emotions in response to bodily reactions; for example, we might feel scared because we trembled.
  • Emotional intelligence, which includes recognizing and managing our own emotions as well as understanding others', has been shown to improve relationships and decision-making.

Pop Culture

  • Many popular songs explore emotional themes, using lyrics to express feelings of love, loss, or joy, making them relatable to listeners.
  • Movies often evoke strong emotions through storytelling, helping audiences connect with characters and experiences.
  • Social media amplifies emotional expression, where people share feelings and build communities around shared emotional experiences.

Art

  • Emotional expression in art is a central theme, with movements like Expressionism focusing on portraying feelings rather than realism.
  • Frida Kahlo's paintings famously delve into her emotional life, combining vibrant imagery with intimate reflections.
  • Certain color palettes can evoke different feelings; for example, warm colors often evoke happiness, while cooler tones can inspire calm or sadness.

Education

  • Emotional learning is increasingly recognized in education, teaching children how to understand and manage their emotions effectively.
  • Classroom environments that foster emotional safety can enhance learning and student engagement.
  • Incorporating emotional discussions in literature classes can deepen students' empathy and understanding of characters’ motivations.

Translations

Translations of the word "emotionally" in other languages:

🇵🇹 emocionalmente

🇮🇳 भावनात्मक रूप से

🇩🇪 emotional

🇮🇩 secara emosional

🇺🇦 емоційно

🇵🇱 emocjonalnie

🇯🇵 感情的に

🇫🇷 émotionnellement

🇪🇸 emocionalmente

🇹🇷 duygusal olarak

🇰🇷 감정적으로

🇸🇦 عاطفيًا

🇨🇿 emocionálně

🇸🇰 emocionálne

🇨🇳 情感上

🇸🇮 čustveno

🇮🇸 tilfinningalega

🇰🇿 эмоционалды түрде

🇬🇪 ემოციურად

🇦🇿 emosional olaraq

🇲🇽 emocionalmente

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,670 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.