Sentimental: meaning, definitions and examples

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sentimental

[ ˌsɛntɪˈmɛnt(ə)l ]

^{Context #1}

expressing or appealing to emotions

Relating to or characterized by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. Sentimental items or gestures are often associated with sentimental value.

Synonyms

emotional, mawkish, nostalgic, sappy, touchy

Examples of usage

She kept the old watch for its sentimental value.
The movie was criticized for being too sentimental.

^{Context #2}

exaggeratedly emotional or mawkish

Tending to indulge in feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia to an excessive or exaggerated extent. Sentimental writing or behavior may be seen as insincere or maudlin.

Synonyms

cloying, maudlin, overemotional, saccharine, schmaltzy

Examples of usage

Her sentimental speech brought tears to everyone's eyes.
The novel was criticized for its overly sentimental tone.

Translations

Translations of the word "sentimental" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sentimental

🇮🇳 संवेदनात्मक

🇩🇪 sentimental

🇮🇩 sentimentil

🇺🇦 сентиментальний

🇵🇱 sentymentalny

🇯🇵 感傷的な

🇫🇷 sentimental

🇪🇸 sentimental

🇹🇷 duygusal

🇰🇷 감상적인

🇸🇦 عاطفي

🇨🇿 sentimentální

🇸🇰 sentimentálny

🇨🇳 感伤的

🇸🇮 sentimentalen

🇮🇸 tilfinninganæmur

🇰🇿 сезімтал

🇬🇪 სენტიმენტალური

🇦🇿 sentimental

🇲🇽 sentimental

Word origin

The word 'sentimental' originated in the mid-18th century from the French word 'sentimental', based on the Latin word 'sentimentum' meaning 'feeling'. The term initially referred to the display of feeling or emotion, often in a romantic or nostalgic context. Over time, it came to encompass a broader range of emotions and attitudes related to sensitivity and emotional expression.