romantic

adjective ro·man·tic \ rō-ˈman-tik , rə- \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Examples: romantic in a Sentence

Definition of romantic

1 : consisting of or resembling a romance

2 : having no basis in fact : imaginary

3 : impractical in conception or plan : visionary

4 a : marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized

b often capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism

c : of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form; also : of or relating to a composer of this music

5 a : having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous

b : marked by expressions of love or affection

c : conducive to or suitable for lovemaking

6 : of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy

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romantically

play \rō-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē, rə-\ adverb

See romantic defined for English-language learners

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

She had romantic feelings for him.
He had a romantic relationship with a coworker.
His brother was having romantic troubles at the time.
She won't discuss her romantic life with the press.
Why can't you be more romantic?
He has some romantic notions about life on a farm.
She had a lot of big romantic dreams of becoming an actress.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic composer.

Recent Examples of romantic from the Web

As the president’s visit progressed on Friday, one of the trending hashtags on Twitter was #LoveActually, referring to the 2003 romantic comedy.

— ceylan yeginsu, New York Times, "London’s ‘Trump Baby’ Balloon Flies as Protests Take Off Across U.K.," 13 July 2018
Those fed up with watching their hundredth Hugh Grant romantic comedy might have other options, however, if face-swapping technology can be made to work on the fly.

— The Economist, "What if AI made actors immortal?," 5 July 2018
The iconic 1990s romantic comedy, Clueless, will be hitting the Off Broadway stage this November, and Cher Horowitz fans everywhere are rejoicing.

— rania aniftos, Billboard, "Paul Rudd Hopes His Favorite 'Clueless' Scene Will Be in the Musical," 28 June 2018
This film has it all—at least, by the standards of a fun, disposable romantic comedy, the likes of which Hollywood rarely bothers to release anymore.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "Can Netflix’s Set It Up Help Revive the Romantic Comedy?," 21 June 2018
According to a description from Netflix, the movie is actually called The Princess Switch, a romantic comedy about a duchess and a commoner who look exactly alike and decide to switch places.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Netflix Is Releasing Another Royal Christmas Movie This Year Starring Vanessa Hudgens," 18 June 2018
The romantic musical comedy is set in Paris during the late '50s and told in flashback.

— steve rothaus, miamiherald, "Gene Kelly's widow recalls his final big MGM musical, 'Les Girls'," 31 May 2018
Her relatively new production company, Everheart (named for her five-year-old daughter Everly), has several projects in development, including Roomies, a musical romantic comedy with director Andy Fickman.

— margaret wappler, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jenna Dewan's New Dawn," 29 May 2018
Theatre goers who bring classic cars to Meadow Brook Theatre on a Classic Car Night will receive special discounts and one free ticket per classic car to see Burt & Me, a romantic music comedy featuring the music of Burt Bacharach.

— brendel hightower, Detroit Free Press, "Things to do in metro Detroit for the week of May 27," 27 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'romantic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of romantic

French romantique, from obsolete romant romance, from Old French romanz

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1650

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

romantic Synonyms

romantic

noun

Definition of romantic

1 : a romantic person, trait, or component

2 capitalized : a romantic writer, artist, or composer

See romantic defined for English-language learners

See romantic defined for kids

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

She married a real romantic who brings her roses every day.
Law school is no place for idealists and romantics.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic among composers.

Recent Examples of romantic from the Web

Vic Damone, the postwar crooner whose intimate, rhapsodic voice captivated bobby soxers, middle-age dreamers and silver-haired romantics in a five-decade medley of America’s love songs and popular standards, died on Sunday in Miami Beach.

— robert d. mcfadden, New York Times, "Vic Damone, Who Crooned His Way to Postwar Popularity, Dies at 89," 12 Feb. 2018
Out of nearly 300 pages, here are the tips from the editors and featured experts that kept us from being total Goop-less romantics (in order of ascending Goop-iness). 1.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "'The Sex Issue' by the Goop editors is shockingly not-so-Goop-y, but there are a few gems," 30 Apr. 2018
Get ready, hopeless romantics and Christmas lovers: Netflix has just announced that A Christmas Prince is getting a sequel.

— temi adebowale, Country Living, "The Netflix Movie 'A Christmas Prince' Is Getting a Sequel, and It Features a Royal Wedding," 18 May 2018
Schulman, along with co-host Max Joseph, helps hopeful romantics learn the truth behind their internet crushes.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Catfish host Nev Schulman accused of sexual misconduct," 17 May 2018
The new location will offer more space, more merchandise and provide more room for romantics to practice bending down on one knee or brainstorming ways to propose.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lyle Husar Designs celebrates 50 years and announces new location, name in Brookfield," 16 May 2018
Lo Celso becomes the enemy of soccer romantics the world over after giving @PSG_English the lead.

— jamie goldberg, OregonLive.com, "Paris Saint-Germain beats Les Herbiers 2-0 in French Cup final: Highlights, live updates recap," 8 May 2018
Also, romantics, the story shifts between past and present day, allowing us to see a young Donna (Lily James) get swept up in three relationships.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "9 movies romance junkies need to see this year," 4 May 2018
The romantics would possibly have Arsenal win and have the curtain fall on what has been a labour of love - and indeed much woe in recent years - for Wenger in Manchester for over 20 years.

— SI.com, "Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News & More," 28 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of romantic

1678

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

romantic Synonyms

Synonyms

dreamer, idealist, utopian, visionary;

Antonyms

pragmatist, realist;

Near Antonyms

cynic, defeatist, pessimist;

Related Words

daydreamer, fantasizer, woolgatherer;

optimist, Pollyanna;

do-gooder, reformer;

perfectionist;

ROMANTIC Defined for English Language Learners

romantic

adjective

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or involving love between two people
: making someone think of love : suitable for romance
: thinking about love and doing and saying things to show that you love someone

romantic

noun

Definition of romantic for English Language Learners

: a person who thinks a lot about love and does and says things that show strong feelings of love for someone
: someone who is not realistic or practical : someone who thinks that things are better or more exciting than they really are
Romantic : a writer, musician, or artist whose work stresses emotion and imagination : a writer, musician, or artist of Romanticism