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

Chaplin was generally warm and sentimental, while Keaton was cool and objective. — Tim Page, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

There’s a new pool table among other, more sentimental possessions. — Trevor Morgan, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

As per other members of the British royal family, Queen Camilla often wears those sentimental pieces during special occasions as a way to pay homage to the long-reigning British monarch. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 July 2026

England, given the potential of ending the 60 years of futility, was a sentimental favorite to emerge from the final four powers at this World Cup, which also included Argentina (who last won in 2022), France (2018) and Spain (2010). — Sean Gregory, Time, 15 July 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