emotional
Americanadjective
-
subject to or easily affected by emotion.
We are an emotional family, given to demonstrations of affection.
- Synonyms:
- sentimental, demonstrative, effusive, temperamental
- Antonyms:
- inexpressive, unsentimental, undemonstrative
-
appealing to the emotions.
an emotional request for contributions.
-
showing or revealing very strong emotions.
an emotional scene in a play.
-
actuated, effected, or determined by emotion rather than reason.
An emotional decision is often a wrong decision.
-
governed by emotion.
He is in a highly emotional state of mind.
adjective
-
of, characteristic of, or expressive of emotion
-
readily or excessively affected by emotion
-
appealing to or arousing emotion
an emotional piece of music
-
caused, determined, or actuated by emotion rather than reason
an emotional argument
Other Word Forms
-
emotionalitynoun
-
hyperemotionaladjective
-
nonemotionaladjective
-
overemotionaladjective
-
preemotionaladjective
-
pseudoemotionaladjective
-
quasi-emotionaladjective
-
semiemotionaladjective
-
unemotionaladjective
-
emotionallyadverb
-
hyperemotionallyadverb
-
nonemotionallyadverb
-
overemotionallyadverb
-
preemotionallyadverb
-
pseudoemotionallyadverb
-
quasi-emotionallyadverb
-
semiemotionallyadverb
-
unemotionallyadverb
Etymology
Origin of emotional
Explanation
If it has anything to do with feelings like happiness or anger, then consider it emotional. A co-worker who cries at the drop of a hat is overly emotional. If someone says "Stop being so emotional!" they're telling you to calm down because your feelings are out of control. When you're emotional, you're feeling lots of feelings, or emotions: happy, sad, afraid, lonely, mad. An emotional speech makes you stand up and cheer. An emotional movie tugs on your heartstrings. The opposite of emotional is logical: logical things have more to do with your head, while emotional things are all about your heart.
Vocabulary lists containing emotional
Words to Describe a Novel or a Story
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Edge: Academic Vocabulary
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 10
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
WSJ’s Pierre Bienaimé, who co-produced the series, tried out one of the chatbots, Slingshot AI’s Ash, for emotional support after moving to a new city.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
"There's emotional value in it, sentimental value, and I still look at games that I bought 20 years ago."
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
Haakon has said Mette-Marit helped him come out of his shell and described her as an emotional counterweight to his analytical mind.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
Even so, the larger emotional arc of family ties, with all their tragedy and imperfection, lifts “Whisper Man” from the typical confines of serial-killer drama.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
A mix of feelings churned in Percy’s gut—grief, sadness, gratitude, and guilt thickening into emotional cement.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
