What does sentimental mean?
Sentimental describes words, actions, objects, or situations that evoke tender feelings, affectionate memories, or nostalgia. The word often implies that emotion is especially strong or conspicuous, and in critical contexts it can suggest that feeling is excessive, artificial, or more persuasive than rational. For example, a sentimental story may be praised for its warmth and sincerity but criticized for manipulating the audience through predictable emotional themes. An object can likewise have sentimental value, meaning that its importance comes from personal associations rather than usefulness or monetary worth. Although sentimental can convey genuine affection, it frequently carries the suggestion of sentimentality, which is generally less approving. The adjective is useful when discussing how personal memory and emotion shape culture, family life, art, and public rhetoric.
adjectiveCharacterized by tender feelings, nostalgia, or an unusually strong emotional response, often in an exaggerated or ineffectual way.
- Exaggeratedly emotional, nostalgic, or maudlin, especially in a way regarded as ineffectual or manipulative.
- Characterized by tender affection, attachment, or fond remembrance.
- Having emotional rather than practical significance or value.
"The old photograph filled her with sentimental nostalgia for her childhood."
"The speech ended with a sentimental tribute to the volunteers."
"The chipped teapot had sentimental value because it had belonged to her grandmother."
What we call sentimentality may be emotionally powerful, but critics often use the word to suggest that feeling has taken the place of judgment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sentimental come from?
Sentimental entered English in the 18th century from French sentimental, meaning pertaining to sentiment. It was formed from sentiment, which itself comes from French sentiment, derived from sentir, “to feel,” and ultimately from Latin sentire, “to perceive or feel.” The later nouns sentimentalism and sentimentalist developed from the same root and reflect the word's long association with an emotional philosophy or an advocate of emotional expression.
Related word forms
How sentimental is actually used
The term is common in both formal and informal English. It can be approving when referring to genuine tenderness or nostalgia, but it is often critical when describing sentiment that is excessive, sentimental, or used to influence an audience.
Easily confused with sentimental
Sentimental describes language, behaviour, or objects influenced by tender or nostalgic feelings, whereas sensitive primarily means easily affected by feelings or responsive to another person's needs.