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

Her raw vulnerability, sensuality, romanticism and humor shine through these moments in a way that feels both vivid and devastating. —Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025

Spring 2026 is all about deconstruction, enhancing a sense of intimacy and romanticism. —Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Velvet room Drawing from the 18th century, creative directors imbued their fall-winter collections with brooding romanticism through moody color palettes and rich textiles, resulting in an abundance of velvet trousers. —Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2025

All the iconography and romanticism around the patriots’ noble cause can mask the contradictions of the era. —Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

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