emotional

adjective

emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce emotional (audio)
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 adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Reducing Teen Obesity Through Stress-Informed Meal Design Faced with a surge in emotional eating and rising obesity rates among teens, one student tackled a deeply personal and widely neglected problem: The link between academic stress and chronic overeating. Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Set within a military institution, the film continues his exploration of gender and power, aiming to expose and humanize rigid, oppressive systems through personal and emotional storytelling. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 15 July 2025 Low glutamine levels have been linked to depression, muscle loss, and physical and emotional fatigue.25 What depletes glutamine levels? Lindsey Desoto, Health, 15 July 2025 Other images show O'Neal looking visibly emotional during the ceremony and sharing a sweet hug with the bride. Erin Clack, People.com, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emotional

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emotional was in 1834

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Cite this Entry

“Emotional.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emotional. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

emotional

adjective
emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-shnəl How to pronounce emotional (audio)
-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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on emotional

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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