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Definition of sentimental

sentimental

/ˌsɛn.tɪˈmɛn.təl/
sen · ti · men · tal
Adverb:sentimentally
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sentimental Lexical Profile

sentimental Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Prompted by or communicating feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia, often in an exaggerated or self-indulgent way.

Example

"She kept the old ticket stubs for purely sentimental reasons."

2

Excessively or superficially emotional in a way that feels contrived or overly sweet, especially in literature, music, or film.

Example

"Critics dismissed the novel as overly sentimental and predictable."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for sentimental

• Nearby Words

sentencing
sentient
sentiment
sentimental
sentimentalist
sentimentality
sentimentalization

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-18th century from 'sentiment' plus '-al', ultimately tracing back to the Latin verb 'sentire' meaning 'to feel or perceive'. It gained widespread popularity following Laurence Sterne's 1768 novel 'A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sentimental. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sentimental
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