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: unsentimental, inexpressive, 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

Derived Forms

• eˌmotionˈality, noun
• eˈmotionally, adverb

Other Words From

• e·motion·al·ly adverb
• hyper·e·motion·al adjective
• hyper·e·motion·al·ly adverb
• none·motion·al adjective
• none·motion·al·ly adverb
• over·e·motion·al adjective
• over·e·motion·al·ly adverb
• pree·motion·al adjective
• pree·motion·al·ly adverb
• pseudo·e·motion·al adjective
• pseudo·e·motion·al·ly adverb
• quasi-e·motion·al adjective
• quasi-e·motion·al·ly adverb
• semi·e·motion·al adjective
• semi·e·motion·al·ly adverb
• une·motion·al adjective
• une·motion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of emotional¹

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

Example Sentences

An emotional Harvey covered her face with both hands after her book was announced as the winner.

From Los Angeles Times

She followed “Woman King” with “Bob Marley: One Love,” starring as Rita Marley, because she was seeking something that was tender, emotional and physically calm.

From Los Angeles Times

Public debate over the "male loneliness epidemic," for instance, is largely about how much men's emotional needs are filled by women, and how single men aren't finding other outlets for sociability.

From Salon

Despite this, several emotional accounts raising questions about the incident have continued circulating widely online.

From BBC

He said he was able to step away from his previous lifestyle and explored emotional trauma retreats and therapy.

From BBC

Related Words

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