romantic

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​man·​tic rō-ˈman-tik 

rə-

1

: consisting of or resembling a romance

2

: having no basis in fact : imaginary

3

: impractical in conception or plan : visionary

a romantic dream about becoming a star

4

a

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

I began to fear that piloting was not quite so romantic as I had imagined it was; there was something very … work-like about this new phase of it.

—Mark Twain

b

often Romantic : 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

… most people are romantic at 20, owing to lack of experience.

—E. M. Forster

b

: of, relating to, or involving love between two people

had romantic feelings

c

: marked by expressions of love or affection

a romantic song

d

: conducive to or suitable for romance

a romantic dinner/sunset

6

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

played the romantic lead

romantically

rō-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē 

rə-

adverb

romantic

2 of 2

noun

1

: a romantic person, trait, or component

2

Romantic : a romantic writer, artist, or composer

Synonyms of romantic

Adjective

• exotic
• strange
• marvelous
• picturesque

Noun

• dreamer

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

Adjective

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.

Noun

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 on the Web

Adjective

Prosecutors also heavily questioned Banfield's statements on Thursday, particularly in light of his romantic affair with Magalhães that began in the months before his wife's death and continued afterward. —Olivia Diaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026

Then after about eight years together, Zardoya and Conway ended their romantic relationship. —Pamela Avila, USA Today, 30 Jan. 2026

Noun

Rauw, a 33-year-old San Jaun romantic, had a breakthrough after a breakup, skipping coolly across genres and balancing electronic and acoustic arrangements following a split with Rosalia; even in polar vortex hell, Karol G’s Tropicoqueta goes over like a glass of concentrated essence of summer. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026

Even for the biggest romantics, Valentine's Day can come with a lot of pressure and expectations. —Glamour, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing romantic

• anti-romantic
• hyper-romantic
• romantic comedy
• romantic encounter
• super-romantic

Rhymes for romantic

• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• semantic
• vedantic
• antic
• frantic
• transatlantic
• unromantic

Kids Definition

romantic

1 of 2 noun

ro·​man·​tic rō-ˈmant-ik 

: a romantic person

especially : a romantic writer, composer, or artist

romantic

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a romance

romantic writing

2

: imaginary

3

: impractical

a romantic scheme

4

a

: stressing or appealing to the emotions or imagination

a romantic spot

b

often capitalized : of or relating to romanticism

5

: of, relating to, or associated with love

romantically

-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb