emotional

[ih-moh-shuh-nl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or involving emotion or the emotions.

2. 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

3. appealing to the emotions.

   an emotional request for contributions.

4. showing or revealing very strong emotions.

   an emotional scene in a play.

5. actuated, effected, or determined by emotion rather than reason.

   An emotional decision is often a wrong decision.

6. governed by emotion.

   He is in a highly emotional state of mind.

emotional

/ ɪˈməʊʃənəl /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or expressive of emotion

2. readily or excessively affected by emotion

3. appealing to or arousing emotion

   an emotional piece of music

4. caused, determined, or actuated by emotion rather than reason

   an emotional argument

Other Word Forms

• emotionality noun
• emotionally adverb
• hyperemotional adjective
• hyperemotionally adverb
• nonemotional adjective
• nonemotionally adverb
• overemotional adjective
• overemotionally adverb
• preemotional adjective
• preemotionally adverb
• pseudoemotional adjective
• pseudoemotionally adverb
• quasi-emotional adjective
• quasi-emotionally adverb
• semiemotional adjective
• semiemotionally adverb
• unemotional adjective
• unemotionally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of emotional¹

First recorded in 1840–50; emotion + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Talksport host Jim White ended the interview by asking O'Neill if he would be emotional when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

I saw him and obviously he was emotional in that moment because they needed a P3, I guess, to help win the championship, now they need more.

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More than the financial blow, however, Ms Siourtou speaks of the emotional toll.

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There are times when he can appear slightly emotional about where he finds himself.

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If our hearts weren’t already open, they’ve just been forced ajar with a rusty, emotional crowbar.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• affecting 
• exciting 
• heated 
• hysterical 
• impassioned 
• moving 
• nervous 
• passionate 
• poignant 
• sensitive 
• sentimental 
• spontaneous 
• touching