sentimental

adjective

sen·​ti·​men·​tal ˌsen-tə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

a

: marked or governed by feeling, sensibility, or emotional idealism

b

: resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought

a sentimental attachment

a sentimental favorite

2

: having an excess of sentiment or sensibility

sentimentally adverb

Synonyms of sentimental

• sticky
• sloppy
• mawkish
• schmaltzy
• maudlin
• sappy
• saccharine
• fuzzy
• soppy
• corny
• cloying
• mushy
• wet
• gooey
• sugary
• chocolate-box
• drippy

Examples of sentimental in a Sentence

He has a sentimental attachment to his old high school.

She saved her wedding gown for sentimental reasons.

He has sentimental ideas about the past.

I tend to get very sentimental when I think about my childhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Call me sentimental, but an epiphany at a table can linger for a long time. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Over the 28 years since its release, the original Practical Magic, despite its dismal reviews and middling box-office reception, has accrued a sentimental affection from fans. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

The sentimental spirit informed the band’s relaxed, nostalgic set. — Daniel Kohn, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Heavy curtain up; the moaning of sentimental strings; lights rising on some wedges and rectangles of scenery, guys and girls, the guys practically naked save for bits and pieces of neo-Greek get-up. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sentimental

• anti-sentimental
• sentimental value

Rhymes for sentimental

• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental
• fundamental
• governmental
• incidental
• incremental
• instrumental
• interdental
• monumental

Kids Definition

sentimental

adjective

sen·​ti·​men·​tal ˌsent-ə-ˈment-ᵊl 

1

a

: marked by feeling or sentiment

b

: resulting from feeling rather than reason or thought

2

: having an excess of sentiment or sensibility

sentimentally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb