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

Romanticism was also present, whether in the bloomers at Victoria Beckham, the butterfly appliqués at Zimmermann, the eyelet lace at Chloé, or the embroidery at Cecilie Bahnsen. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026

For advanced contemporary brands, spring is all about rebirth, romanticism and showing off one’s femininity. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

When the story moves into the season’s elaborate galas, Richardson-Whitfield embraces the grandeur and romanticism associated with the series. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing romanticism

• pre-romanticism

Rhymes for romanticism

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

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