sentimental
/ˌsɛntiˈmɛntl̩/
Driven by emotion rather than reason, often characterized by a longing for the past or an exaggerated tenderness. It describes a state of being swayed by feelings of nostalgia or tenderness. Depending on context, it can be positive (showing warmth and heart) or negative (being "sappy" or excessively indulgent in emotion). When used as a critique, it implies that the emotion is unearned or superficial, lacking genuine depth. Distinct from 'emotional,' which refers to any strong feeling, 'sentimental' specifically targets soft, tender, or nostalgic emotions. While 'nostalgic' focuses on the act of remembering, 'sentimental' describes the emotional attachment to those memories or objects.
💬Casual Conversation
Ugh, cleaning my room. Found my old teddy bear and now I'm getting all sentimental.
Lmao just toss it. It's literally just dust and old feelings.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
sentimental value
the importance or worth of something because of the feelings or emotions associated with it, rather than its practical or monetary worth.
The old watch had immense sentimental value for him.
sentimental reasons
for reasons related to emotions and personal feelings, rather than logic or practicality.
She kept the worn-out teddy bear for sentimental reasons.
sentimental attachment
a feeling of affection or fondness for someone or something.
He had a deep sentimental attachment to his childhood home.
sentimental journey
a trip or recollection that evokes strong emotions and memories of the past.
Visiting his old school was a real sentimental journey.
sentimental rubbish
things that are considered to be overly emotional or foolishly nostalgic.
He dismissed the old love letters as sentimental rubbish.
Etymology
The word "sentimental" comes from the French word "sentiment," meaning "feeling." It evolved in the 18th century to describe an excess of sensibility or tender emotion, often considered a positive trait at the time, emphasizing gentle feelings and sympathy. Over time, its connotation shifted to imply an exaggerated or even maudlin emotional response, particularly related to nostalgia or personal attachments.