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

“It heightens the probability that you get an emotional response to market events,” says Kristi Mitchem, a founder of wealth manager &Partners who was previously CEO of Wells Fargo asset management.

Read more on Barron's

While it’s quicker and faster than its predecessors, much of the focus seems to be on delivering emotional content rather than stopwatch performance—most obviously, in the presence and sonority of the engine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But because horror is a genre built on visual and emotional excess, it’s also an easy punching bag.

Read more on Salon

Making matters worse, Robert soon falls for Lady Brett and later leans on Jake for emotional support when she ultimately discards him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cooper explicitly denies us the big, soaring moments, delivering emotional highs in the form of a backstage hug or the E-Street Band running through a glorious “Born to Run” in the studio.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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