romanticism

noun

ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈman-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

rə-

1

often Romanticism

a(1)

: a literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century, characterized chiefly by a reaction against neoclassicism and an emphasis on the imagination and emotions, and marked especially in English literature by sensibility and the use of autobiographical material, an exaltation of the primitive and the common man, an appreciation of external nature, an interest in the remote, a predilection for melancholy, and the use in poetry of older verse forms

(2)

: an aspect of romanticism

b

: adherence to a romantic attitude or style

2

: the quality or state of being romantic

romanticist

rō-ˈman-tə-sist 

rə-

noun

often Romanticist

Examples of romanticism in a Sentence

Try not to discourage the romanticism of college students.

Recent Examples on the Web

Transposing the film to the 1930s French countryside, the Nouvelle Vague legend attempted to directly counter the fervent romanticism of classic adaptations of Brontë’s novel by highlighting the matter-of-fact savagery of the characters. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, one of the founders of Romanticism, was a great inspiration for the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. —Christopher Beha, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026

In the Solar elixir, vanilla is mixed with mango for a fresh and fruity scent, while Magnetic is combined with musk for a soft romanticism, and Bold with oakwood for a smoky scent. —Hikmat Mohammed, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026

Her choice of accessories included a gold choker braided with pink gemstones, which further added a touch of gothic romanticism to her look. —Pamela Vázquez, Glamour, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing romanticism

• pre-romanticism

Rhymes for romanticism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

romanticism

noun

ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈmant-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

1

often capitalized : a literary and artistic movement marked chiefly by an emphasis on the imagination and emotions

2

: the quality or state of being romantic

romanticist

-səst 

noun often capitalized