Sentimental
/ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsCharacterized by or showing excessive tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, often to a degree considered excessive or insincere.
/ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəl/
Marked by or appealing to tender emotions.
She has a sentimental attachment to her childhood home.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking at old photos of your grandma and you get a little teary-eyed because they remind you of her. That feeling is sentimental. It's about feeling strong emotions connected to memories or things that are special to you.
👶 For kids: When you feel really, really happy or sad about something special from the past, that's sentimental!
More Examples
The old music box held great sentimental value for her.
The movie's sentimental ending made many audience members cry.
How It's Used
"The novel is known for its sentimental portrayal of family life."
"He kept the old photographs for sentimental reasons."
"The artist often used sentimental themes in her paintings."
Influenced by emotion rather than reason or practical considerations.
/ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəl/
Resulting from feelings rather than reason or experience.
His decision to donate to the charity was purely sentimental.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, we make choices not because they're the smartest or most logical, but because they *feel* right. Like, maybe you buy an old car because it reminds you of your dad. That's a sentimental decision – made with your heart rather than your head.
👶 For kids: When you make a choice because you feel something, like missing your grandma or feeling happy, that is sentimental.
More Examples
She dismissed the offer, citing the sentimental value she placed on her current home.
The agreement was signed based on a sentimental bond.
How It's Used
"She made a sentimental decision based on her emotions."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Sentimental journey
A trip undertaken to visit a place or person of sentimental significance.
"He took a sentimental journey to his hometown after many years."
From French *sentimental*, derived from *sentiment* (feeling), ultimately from Latin *sentire* (to feel). First appeared in English in the mid-18th century, initially associated with sensibility and emotional responsiveness, often in a romantic context.
Used frequently in 18th-century literature to describe characters who are overly emotional or prone to displays of sensibility. Often associated with the Romantic era and the emphasis on feeling over reason.
Memory tip
Think of a *sent* of *mental* images that trigger strong emotions.
Word Origin
"to feel, perceive"