1
a
: of, relating to, or involving love between two people
She had romantic feelings for him.
He had a romantic relationship with a coworker.
Her latest movie is a romantic comedy. [=a comedy about two people who fall in love with each other]
His brother was having romantic troubles at the time.
She won't discuss her romantic life with the press.
b
: making someone think of love : suitable for romance
a romantic sunset/dinner/song
c
: thinking about love and doing and saying things to show that you love someone
Why can't you be more romantic?
2
: not realistic or practical : not based on what is real
He has some romantic notions about life on a farm.
She had a lot of big romantic dreams of becoming an actress.
3
: of or relating to Romanticism : stressing or appealing to the emotions or imagination
the Romantic poets/movement
Beethoven was the first great Romantic composer.
plural romantics
1
: a person who thinks a lot about love and does and says things that show strong feelings of love for someone
She married a real romantic who brings her roses every day.
2
: someone who is not realistic or practical : someone who thinks that things are better or more exciting than they really are
Law school is no place for idealists and romantics.
She's a hopeless/incurable romantic.
3
: a writer, musician, or artist whose work stresses emotion and imagination : a writer, musician, or artist of Romanticism
Beethoven was the first great Romantic among composers.
Cite this Entry
“Romantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/romantic. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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