Sentimental Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sentimental

[ˌsɛntɪˈmɛnt(ə)l ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sentimental	This word is often used when discussing strong feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia. It can be positive or negative depending on the situation. She kept all her grandmother's letters for sentimental reasons. The movie was too sentimental for my taste.
emotional	Use this word to describe anything involving strong feelings. It is a broad term that can refer to anything from joy to sorrow. It was an emotional speech that moved everyone to tears. He was feeling very emotional after hearing the news.
nostalgic	This word is used when looking back at the past with fondness and longing. It signifies a mix of happy and sad emotions. Listening to old songs often makes me feel nostalgic. She felt nostalgic when she visited her childhood home.
sappy	This word has a negative connotation and is often used to describe something that is overly sentimental and cheesy. The movie was too sappy and predictable. I can't stand those sappy love songs.
touchy	This word is used to describe someone who is easily upset or sensitive. It can also refer to a delicate or sensitive subject. Be careful what you say; he's very touchy about his past. The topic of politics is quite touchy these days.
mawkish	This word has a negative connotation and is used to describe something that is overly sentimental to the point of being sickening or nauseating. The novel was criticized for its mawkish sentimentality. Her mawkish display of affection made everyone uncomfortable.

Examples of usage

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

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sentimental	Used when referring to feelings of nostalgia or tenderness. It can be positive, indicating genuine emotions, or slightly negative if seen as excessive. She kept all his old letters for sentimental reasons The movie had a sentimental tone that touched many hearts
maudlin	Often employed to describe someone who is tearfully sentimental in a self-pitying or overly emotional way, usually in a negative context. He became maudlin after a few drinks, reminiscing about his past The story became maudlin towards the end, with characters crying excessively
cloying	Best used to describe something overly sweet or excessively sentimental to the point of being distasteful. Often has a negative connotation. The dessert was too cloying for my taste Their cloying display of affection made everyone uncomfortable
saccharine	Describes something overly sweet or sentimental, often with an insincere tone. This term has a negative connotation. The movie had a saccharine ending that didn’t feel authentic Her saccharine smile made it clear she wasn’t being genuine
overemotional	Used when someone displays emotions in an exaggerated or uncontrolled manner. Typically carries a negative implication. She became overemotional during the meeting, making it hard for her to stay professional His overemotional reaction surprised everyone
schmaltzy	Refers to something excessively sentimental or cheesy, often in a way that seems insincere or cheaply emotional. Carries a negative connotation. The play was so schmaltzy that many people walked out His schmaltzy speech didn’t impress the audience

Examples of usage

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

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Sentimental feelings can be linked to nostalgia, a complex emotion that can evoke both happiness and sadness.
Research shows that sentimental feelings can improve mood and even enhance social connections.
People often create sentimental items, like scrapbooks, to help preserve precious memories.

Pop Culture

In films, a sentimental scene often evokes tears or laughter, highlighting characters' emotional journeys.
Many popular songs focus on sentimental themes, exploring love, loss, and cherished memories, like 'My Heart Will Go On.'

Literature

Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Keats often used sentimental themes to express deep emotional connections to nature and personal experiences.
The term 'sentimental novel' refers to a genre that emphasizes emotion over plot, often focusing on the inner feelings of characters.

Art

Sentimental art often features nostalgic themes, prompting viewers to reflect on their own memories and emotions.
Many famous artists, like Vincent van Gogh, infused their work with personal feelings, adding layers of sentimentality.

Origin of 'sentimental'

Main points about word origin

Derived from the French word 'sentimental,' which means 'of the senses or feelings.'
The word became popular in English during the 18th century, often used to describe emotional literature and art.

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.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,935 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.

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9932 preserves
9933 dew
9934 dire
9935 sentimental
9936 effecting
9937 salinity
9938 spacious
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