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

In an emotional tribute, the UUP politician said Mr Reid had faced his illness “with his usual good humour”.

From BBC

Still, there has been little scientific understanding of how the brain consciously controls our breathing and whether this actually has a direct effect on our anxiety and emotional state.

From Science Daily

Music has always had strong emotional impact on human listeners in both contemporary and ancient cultures, hence its use in ritual religious and mythological contexts.

From Science Daily

The Japanese film boasts memorable, wacky characters who make real emotional connections; you have no idea where the story is going.

From Los Angeles Times

Nadal was invited on court to address the crowd, while an emotional tribute video featuring messages from many of his rivals was also played.

From BBC

Related Words

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