Emotional — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl/ emo·tion·al

Meaning & Definition of Emotional

Emotional (adjective)

  1. of or relating to emotion
  2. dominated by or prone to emotion
  3. appealing to or arousing emotion

Emotional (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or expressing great depth of feeling

    "worship at revival meetings often takes a markedly emotional form"

    similar: ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, fervent, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, passionate, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-blooded, on fire
    related: gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary, histrionic, melodramatic, enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous, enamored, infatuated, obsessed, uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained, frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheated
    opposite: cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional
    near: detached, dry, impersonal, objective, reserved, undemonstrative

  2. having the power to affect the feelings or sympathies

    "in one emotional scene in the movie the boy must say goodbye to his extraterrestrial friend"

    similar: affecting, impactful, impressive, moving, poignant, stirring, touching
    related: eloquent, expressive, meaningful, significant, demonstrative, excitable, feeling, passionate, responsive, sensitive, exciting, inspirational, provoking, rousing, stimulating, dramatic, histrionic, melodramatic, theatrical, cathartic
    opposite: unaffecting, unemotional, unimpressive
    near: cold, cool, detached, dispassionate, emotionless, deadpan

  3. showing feeling freely

    "the fact that he is not a very emotional person does not mean that he is not a loving, caring father"

    similar: demonstrative, effusive, touchy-feely, uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained
    related: dramatic, histrionic, hyperemotional, melodramatic, theatrical, gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, schmaltzy, sentimental, communicative, expansive, extroverted, outgoing, affectionate, feeling, intense, loving, passionate, sensitive, soulful, warm, blunt, candid, frank, outspoken, plain
    opposite: inhibited, reserved, restrained, undemonstrative, unemotional
    near: constrained, quiet, reticent, silent, taciturn, bashful, modest, retiring, shy, introverted, self-directed, aloof, detached, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, indifferent, phlegmatic, stolid, unconcerned, unfeeling, chilly, cold, frigid, glacial, hard-boiled, hard-edged, hard-hearted, icy, unfriendly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Emotional

The most common words with a similar meaning to Emotional:

ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, fervent, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, passionate, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-blooded, affecting, impactful, impressive, moving, poignant, stirring, touching, effusive, touchy-feely, uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained, on fire

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Emotional

Words with the opposite meaning of Emotional:

cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional, unaffecting, unimpressive, inhibited, reserved, restrained, undemonstrative

Related Words for Emotional

gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary, histrionic, melodramatic, enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous, enamored, infatuated, obsessed, frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheated, eloquent, expressive, meaningful, significant, excitable

Near Antonyms of Emotional

detached, dry, impersonal, objective, deadpan, constrained, quiet, reticent, silent, taciturn, bashful, modest, retiring, shy, introverted, self-directed, aloof, indifferent, phlegmatic, stolid, unconcerned, unfeeling, chilly, frigid, glacial, hard-boiled, hard-edged, hard-hearted, icy, unfriendly

Word Forms of Emotional

Derived words: emotionally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Emotional

First known use: 1834

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Emotional

Words & Phrases Containing Emotional

emotional intelligence, emotional quotient, emotional support animal, emotional blackmail, hyperemotional

Frequently Asked Questions about Emotional

What does "Emotional" mean?

"Emotional" means of or relating to emotion. As an adjective, it is defined as: of or relating to emotion. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Emotional"?

Other words for "Emotional" include ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, fervent, fervid and feverish. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Emotional" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Emotional"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Emotional". Common alternatives include ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, fervent, fervid, feverish, fiery and flaming.

What is the opposite of "Emotional"?

Antonyms of "Emotional" include cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional, unaffecting and unimpressive. Near antonyms include detached, dry, impersonal and objective.

How do you use "Emotional" in a sentence?

Examples of "Emotional" in a sentence: "worship at revival meetings often takes a markedly emotional form"; "in one emotional scene in the movie the boy must say goodbye to his extraterrestrial friend"; "the fact that he is not a very emotional person does not mean that he is not a loving, caring father".

Is "Emotional" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Emotional" is an adjective.

Is "Emotional" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Emotional" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Emotional"?

"Emotional" is pronounced /i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl/ and divided into syllables as emo·tion·al.