emotive

adjective

emo·​tive i-ˈmō-tiv 

1

: of or relating to the emotions

2

: appealing to or expressing emotion

the emotive use of language

3

chiefly British : causing strong emotions often in support of or against something

… the latest proposal aimed at breaking a long-running deadlock over the emotive issue of whaling …

—Tom Pfeiffer

emotively adverb

emotivity

i-ˌmō-ˈti-və-tē 

ˌē-ˌmō-

noun

Examples of emotive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lucy’s always been a hard vocalist to classify, intensely emotive but largely separate from the monster-growl arms race. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026

Creed-Miles plays guitar and sings, delivering raw, emotive vocals that a modern, moody version of Marianne might very much like. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026

Oakley has directed a new interpretation of the book, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as the sensible Elinor Dashwood and Esmé Creed-Miles as her more emotive sister, Marianne. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

The Spaniard tried to prepare his players for a crunch game at Anfield by playing You’ll Never Walk Alone, the emotive track that greets the Liverpool players onto the pitch before games, to help ready them for the atmosphere. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for emotive

• promotive
• automotive
• locomotive
• electromotive
• motive
• votive