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

• ardent
• blazing
• burning
• charged
• demonstrative
• fervent
• fervid
• feverish
• fiery
• flaming
• glowing
• hot-blooded
• impassioned
• incandescent
• intense
• passional
• passionate
• perfervid
• red-hot
• religious
• superheated
• torrid
• vehement
• warm
• warm-blooded

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

The story of a terminally ill father on a search for a family to adopt his toddler son is profoundly emotional without being manipulative. —Uberto Pasolini, IndieWire, 22 Nov. 2024

Souza and Cline gave emotional introductions and thanked the audience for attending. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024

The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

That complaint repeated many of her initial claims, while also accusing the producers of breach of contract, false imprisonment, fraudulent inducement, and inflection of emotional distress. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emotional

• emotional blackmail
• emotional intelligence
• emotional quotient
• hyper-emotional

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