sentimental

adjective

sen·​ti·​men·​tal ˌsen-tə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

a

: marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism

b

: resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought

a sentimental attachment

a sentimental favorite

2

: having an excess of sentiment or sensibility

sentimentally adverb

Synonyms of sentimental

• sloppy
• sticky
• mawkish
• schmaltzy
• maudlin
• sappy
• saccharine
• fuzzy
• wet
• soppy
• corny
• cloying
• mushy
• gooey
• sugary

Examples of sentimental in a Sentence

He has a sentimental attachment to his old high school.

She saved her wedding gown for sentimental reasons.

He has sentimental ideas about the past.

I tend to get very sentimental when I think about my childhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

The name also has some sentimental meaning for Meghan, harkening back to a childhood nickname given to her by her mother Doria. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026

Gervais isn’t overtly sentimental in depicting Gus’ growing affection for his young, quite cutely drawn (her eyes are enormous) young charge; in fact, the story resolves on a fittingly bittersweet note for the overall tone. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Backyard weddings are among the most sentimental and intimate of celebrations. — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Rather than a sentimental image of maternal love and devotion, Cassatt depicts the sheer effort of remaining oneself within the consuming closeness of caring for one’s child. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sentimental

• anti-sentimental
• sentimental value

Rhymes for sentimental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Kids Definition

sentimental

adjective

sen·​ti·​men·​tal ˌsent-ə-ˈment-ᵊl 

1

a

: marked by feeling or sentiment

b

: resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought

2

: having an excess of sentiment or sensibility

sentimentally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb