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Emote is an example of what linguists call a back-formation—that is, a word formed by trimming down an existing word (in this case, emotion). As is sometimes the case with back-formations, emote has since its coinage in the early 20th century tended toward use that is less than entirely serious. It frequently appears in humorous or deprecating descriptions of the work of actors, and is similarly used to describe theatrical behavior by nonactors. Though a writer sometimes wants us to take someone's "emoting" seriously, a phrase like "expressing emotion" avoids the chance that we will hear some snideness in the writer's words.
Examples of emote in a Sentence
Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023
An entity that feigns human emotions is arguably a worse object of affection than a cold, computational device that doesn’t emote at all.
—WIRED, 26 Sep. 2023
But Benicio is one of these actors who emotes so much non-verbally.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2023
More likely, those who emoted more were simply in more distress.
—Ellen Barry Hilary Swift, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2023
Sikh religious scripture are written in ragas - a collection of notes and pitches meant to emote certain feelings.
—Yannick Peterhans, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2023
The city itself acts as a beloved third-wheel and dialogue is intentional, allowing the audience to sit within the oscillating emotions the characters emote while sports play out on the periphery as Manon’s angst unfolds in sequences that show her rage but also her vulnerability and drive.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 28 July 2023
Each boy’s advanced physicality combined with a unique outlook on what physical touch means, allows these wrestlers to communicate and emote freely in a safe space.
—Condé Nast, Vogue, 26 June 2023
And so taking on this marathon role not only required intense dedication and memorization, but also a recalibration of her acting style in order to emote to an 800-plus seat theater, rather than to the camera.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 May 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
back-formation from emotion
1917, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near emote
Cite this Entry
“Emote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emote. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on emote
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for emote
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