emotional
Americanadjective
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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
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appealing to the emotions.
an emotional request for contributions.
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showing or revealing very strong emotions.
an emotional scene in a play.
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actuated, effected, or determined by emotion rather than reason.
An emotional decision is often a wrong decision.
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governed by emotion.
He is in a highly emotional state of mind.
adjective
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of, characteristic of, or expressive of emotion
-
readily or excessively affected by emotion
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appealing to or arousing emotion
an emotional piece of music
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caused, determined, or actuated by emotion rather than reason
an emotional argument
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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preemotionallyadverb
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emotionallyadverb
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pseudoemotionaladjective
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nonemotionaladjective
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hyperemotionaladjective
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pseudoemotionallyadverb
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preemotionaladjective
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semiemotionaladjective
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quasi-emotionallyadverb
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nonemotionallyadverb
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unemotionaladjective
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semiemotionallyadverb
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hyperemotionallyadverb
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overemotionaladjective
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unemotionallyadverb
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emotionalitynoun
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quasi-emotionaladjective
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overemotionallyadverb
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
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Edge: Academic Vocabulary
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 10
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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.
Whether in use as memorable transitions, to deliver a sonic hit of nostalgia or to underscore a jarring cliffhanger, songs pack emotional punch — and leave us wanting more.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
"Right now young people are under a lot of pressure and they need some emotional and economic exits," said Fang Tian, a football fan since the 2014 World Cup.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
“Most of the interest is emotional, which is the honest truth,” said Jeff Judge, a financial planner in Forest Hill, Md. “People want to own a piece of Elon Musk’s rocket company.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
"I got quite emotional about it, as you would, and my breath was taken away, really. I was just kind of in a state of pleasant shock," she said.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
“And sometimes no. Completely depends on the circumstance. If you want to defuse an emotional situation, use the neutral expression. If you're under attack, dominate with the eyes. All right, Mila, you’re next. Ready?”
From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee
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.
