sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsen-tə-ˌmen-ˈta-lə-tē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental especially to excess or in affectation

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression

Synonyms of sentimentality

• sentimentalism

Examples of sentimentality in a Sentence

the sentimentality of Romantic poetry

the sentimentality of the story of star-crossed lovers only made it even more popular with moviegoers

Recent Examples on the Web

Mikel Arteta has spent years stripping unhelpful sentimentality out of Arsenal. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

In honor of the iconic series that ignited our hearts, summer romances and sentimentality for music, each character of the original film has been assigned to a zodiac sign. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

There’s a time to think like a minimalist, and a time to let sentimentality win. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

The difficulty lies in discerning exactly what should hold onto—whether out of practicality or sentimentality—and what can be confidently tossed. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sentimentality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality

Kids Definition

sentimentality

noun

sen·​ti·​men·​tal·​i·​ty ˌsent-ə-ˌmen-ˈtal-ət-ē 

-mən-

plural sentimentalities

1

: the quality or state of being sentimental and especially overly sentimental

2

: a sentimental idea or its expression