romantic

adjective ro·man·tic \ rō-ˈman-tik , rə- \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of romantic

1 : consisting of or resembling a romance

2 : having no basis in fact : imaginary

3 : impractical in conception or plan : visionary

4 a : marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized

b often capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism

c : of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form; also : of or relating to a composer of this music

5 a : having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous

b : marked by expressions of love or affection

c : conducive to or suitable for lovemaking

6 : of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy

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romantically

play \rō-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē, rə-\ adverb

See romantic defined for English-language learners

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

She had romantic feelings for him.
He had a romantic relationship with a coworker.
His brother was having romantic troubles at the time.
She won't discuss her romantic life with the press.
Why can't you be more romantic?
He has some romantic notions about life on a farm.
She had a lot of big romantic dreams of becoming an actress.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic composer.

Recent Examples of romantic from the Web

Liz Phair was a beacon for all of us who knew early on that romance was dead, and that fact, in and of itself, was romantic.

— chloe schama, Vogue, "“She Made It Okay to Be the Angry, Wet, Lonely Girl”: Looking Back at Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville 25 Years Later," 2 May 2018
In some communities, hanging a May basket on someone's door was a chance to express romantic interest.

— Southern Living, "Flower Lovers, Do You Remember This Holiday From Your Childhood?," 1 May 2018
Your romantic interests neatly align with your other journeys.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What May's Virgo Horoscope Means for You," 26 Apr. 2018
Awaiting her is not a British prince, but rather the lawyer Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), the romantic interest of Rachel Zane, a character that Ms. Markle imbued with a mix of charm, conscientiousness and grace over her seven-year run on the show.

— salamishah tillet, New York Times, "Meghan Markle Left ‘Suits.’ Here’s What She Took With Her.," 25 Apr. 2018
Question: What's more romantic – spaghetti or ravioli?

— david sharos, Naperville Sun, "Chef's Choice: Cooking 'just feeds your soul'," 25 Apr. 2018
On Monday, the defense tried to cast Constand as an opportunist who baited Cosby by feigning romantic interest in him.

— michael r. sisak, BostonGlobe.com, "Cosby accuser denies framing him, knowing key witness," 17 Apr. 2018
Move over, Paris; this month is spectacularly romantic in Sacramento area gardens.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Roses (and rose gardens) fill Sacramento with romance," 13 Apr. 2018
Forget about lingerie, date nights, or romantic weekends away—the couples likely to be having the best time in bed were those who were doing the laundry together, or at least rotating the responsibility every other week.

— rebecca gale, Marie Claire, "Breaking: Who Does the Dishes Could Save You and Your Husband From Divorce," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'romantic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of romantic

French romantique, from obsolete romant romance, from Old French romanz

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1650

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

romantic Synonyms

romantic

noun

Definition of romantic

1 : a romantic person, trait, or component

2 capitalized : a romantic writer, artist, or composer

See romantic defined for English-language learners

See romantic defined for kids

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

She married a real romantic who brings her roses every day.
Law school is no place for idealists and romantics.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic among composers.

Recent Examples of romantic from the Web

Also, romantics, the story shifts between past and present day, allowing us to see a young Donna (Lily James) get swept up in three relationships.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "9 movies romance junkies need to see this year," 4 May 2018
The romantics would possibly have Arsenal win and have the curtain fall on what has been a labour of love - and indeed much woe in recent years - for Wenger in Manchester for over 20 years.

— SI.com, "Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News & More," 28 Apr. 2018
Ever the romantics, most coral spawn only once or twice a year in October or November when triggered by a full moon.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Could CRISPR Be the Key to Saving Coral?," 23 Apr. 2018
But this Classic Cleveland gem dedicated to saving beautiful but battered old trains is waging a tougher battle – one pitched against time and the sense that these train romantics are hopelessly lost in it.

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "Train lover's nirvana revisits Cleveland glory days (photos)," 22 Mar. 2018
Just when hopeless romantics thought that mind-boggling dating trends like submarining and stashing were left behind in 2017, a new woe has bubbled up to vex sincere sentiments everywhere: mosting.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "'Mosting' is the latest maddening dating trend," 20 Mar. 2018
Pat McGrath Gives Valentine's Day Lips a Mysterious Twist Dark romantics, this one's for you.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "8 Beauty Moments That Ruled the New York Runway This Weekend," 12 Feb. 2018
The show follows two hopeless romantics named Riley and Kyle.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "Sabrina Carpenter Was Just Cast in First TV Role Since "GMW" and She's Basically Maya All Over Again!," 22 Feb. 2018
On November 8th, the jewelry behemoth announced the opening of the Blue Box Café, finally offering countless hopeless romantics the chance to follow in Holly Golightly's footsteps and actually have breakfast at Tiffany's.

— becca endicott, ELLE Decor, "Have Breakfast At Tiffany's Gorgeous New Blue Box Café," 9 Nov. 2017

First Known Use of romantic

1678

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

romantic Synonyms

Synonyms

dreamer, idealist, utopian, visionary;

Antonyms

pragmatist, realist;

Near Antonyms

cynic, defeatist, pessimist;

Related Words

daydreamer, fantasizer, woolgatherer;

optimist, Pollyanna;

do-gooder, reformer;

perfectionist;

ROMANTIC Defined for English Language Learners

romantic

adjective

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or involving love between two people
: making someone think of love : suitable for romance
: thinking about love and doing and saying things to show that you love someone

romantic

noun

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

: a person who thinks a lot about love and does and says things that show strong feelings of love for someone
: someone who is not realistic or practical : someone who thinks that things are better or more exciting than they really are
Romantic : a writer, musician, or artist whose work stresses emotion and imagination : a writer, musician, or artist of Romanticism

ROMANTIC Defined for Kids

romantic

adjective ro·man·tic \ rō-ˈman-tik \

Definition of romantic for Students

1 : stressing or appealing to the emotions or imagination

2 : involving or showing feelings of love

3 : not realistic : impractical

4 : suitable for a love story

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romantically

\-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

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romantic

Definition of romantic

romantically

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of romantic

romantic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

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romantic

Definition of romantic

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of romantic from the Web

First Known Use of romantic

romantic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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ROMANTIC Defined for English Language Learners

romantic

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

romantic

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

ROMANTIC Defined for Kids

romantic

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romantically

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