emotional

adjective

emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to emotion

an emotional disorder

2

: dominated by or prone to emotion

an emotional person

3

: appealing to or arousing emotion

an emotional sermon

4

: markedly aroused or agitated in feeling or sensibilities

gets emotional at weddings

emotionally

i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of emotional

• passionate
• passional
• warm
• intense
• religious
• fervent
• demonstrative

Examples of emotional in a Sentence

He's a very emotional person.

worship at revival meetings often takes a markedly emotional form

Recent Examples on the Web

Language development, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationship-building all begin before age three. —Tina Dello Russo, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026

The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders. —Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 10 May 2026

Heidi’s father was, like her, a conspicuously emotional person, but private. —Nicholas Dawidoff, New Yorker, 10 May 2026

That first month of shooting was admittedly an emotional experience for her — Clive was going up against a little bit of the age-old imposter syndrome — and one particular scene left her feeling frustrated. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emotional

• emotional blackmail
• emotional intelligence
• emotional quotient
• emotional support animal
• hyper-emotional

Rhymes for emotional

• devotional
• promotional
• motional
• notional
• unemotional

Kids Definition

emotional

adjective

emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of or relating to the emotions

an emotional upset

2

: likely to show or express emotion : easily moved

an emotional person

3

: causing one to feel emotion

an emotional speech

emotionally

-ē 

adverb