1
: based on, showing, or resulting from feelings or emotions rather than reason or thought
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.
Note: A sentimental journey is a visit to a place that was once very familiar and that brings back memories of the past.
Note: Something that has sentimental value is important to someone because of its connection with a happy time of life, a special person, etc.
2
a
: appealing to the emotions especially in an excessive way
a sentimental melodrama
b
: having or expressing strong feelings of love, sadness, etc., in a way that may seem foolish or excessive
a sentimental person
I tend to get very sentimental when I think about my childhood.
Cite this Entry
“Sentimental.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sentimental. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.
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