sentimental

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sentimental' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is prone to feeling emotion or nostalgia. For example, "My grandmother is a very sentimental person; she still keeps sentimental mementos from my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Waldfogel's studies also suggest a very different solution: if most of the presents we buy are going to be less valuable in monetary terms than in sentimental ones, then there's no reason to believe that the more expensive gift is a better gift.

The Economist

As business is business, all the sentimental part had to be taken aside.

The Guardian

Yet most voters are more likely to see change as loss and – without being sentimental for the often oppressive communities of 1950s Britain – want to live in relatively stable places with a high level of trust, low crime, and a degree of neighbourliness.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the bottom line is, you can't be sentimental about pubs".

The Guardian

I think Game of Love is a damp squib of a second track, Lose Yourself to Dance is too slow and the lyrics are either meaningless or sentimental in a peculiarly continental way.

The Guardian - Music

Many of them will no doubt have sentimental memories of smoking on the upper deck or canoodling in the love seat by the staircase.

The Guardian - Arts

But without being sentimental, a bigger influence on the book was Lucinda herself".

The Guardian

Entitled New York Fantasy, this was a shamelessly sentimental, sepia-hued vision of New York style, referencing the kind of clothes one would expect in a 1970s Woody Allen film: chunky tweed jackets over pretty diaphanous dresses, mannish trousers paired with nippy leather jackets, delicate pleated dresses over thick wool tights.

The Guardian

Next year's EU budget review - a fresh chance to curb French farm subsidies - will test Mr Sarkozy's resolve to be less sentimental than Mr Chirac about his electoral base among French farmers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There's plenty of time to be sentimental and emotional after the games are done but I don't really want to listen to supporters being emotional face to face because I'm a little bit afraid of breaking down and showing too much".

The Guardian - Sport

"We're like teenagers," trilled Rose, and sentimental old Bert gazed at his intended with a smile that could fell an oak.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sentimental" to describe a fondness for the past or for things with personal value, but be aware that overuse can sound cliché.

Common error

Avoid using "sentimental" excessively in formal or business writing, as it can undermine your credibility. Opt for more objective language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "sentimental" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something characterized by or displaying tender emotions, nostalgia, or personal feeling. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sentimental" is a versatile adjective denoting emotional tenderness or nostalgia, commonly used across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its grammatical correctness and prevalence, especially in news and business domains. While offering expressive power, mindful usage is crucial to avoid clichés and maintain credibility. Remember to tailor your vocabulary choices to suit the context and audience for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotional

Focuses on the presence of strong feelings, similar to "sentimental" but without the nostalgic connotation.

emotional

Emphasizes the display of deep feelings, much like "sentimental".

nostalgic

Specifies a longing for the past, a key component of being "sentimental".

tender-hearted

Highlights the compassion and gentleness associated with sentimentality.

romantic

Emphasizes the connection to love and idealism, often part of sentimental feelings.

soft-hearted

Implies a sensitivity and willingness to be emotionally moved, aligning with sentimentality.

affectionate

Highlights the display of fondness and caring, related to sentimentality.

mushy

Describes excessive sentimentality, often in a negative way.

mawkish

Suggests a sickeningly sentimental quality, indicating insincerity.

soppy

Indicates excessive and often silly sentimentality.

FAQs

How do you use "sentimental" in a sentence?

You can use "sentimental" to describe someone who is easily moved by emotions or something that evokes feelings of nostalgia. For example, "She kept the old photographs for "sentimental reasons"".

What is a more formal synonym for "sentimental"?

While "sentimental" is generally acceptable, consider using "emotional" or "nostalgic" for a more formal tone, depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "sentimental"?

"Sentimental" is appropriate when describing something that evokes feelings of nostalgia, love, or tenderness. It's often used in contexts related to memories, keepsakes, or personal relationships.

What is the difference between "sentimental" and "emotional"?

While both words relate to feelings, "emotional" describes the presence of any strong emotion, whereas "sentimental" specifically implies a tender or nostalgic feeling, often related to the past.