Definition of ROMANTIC (original) (raw)

1

: consisting of or resembling a romance

3

: impractical in conception or plan : visionary

4

a

: marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized

b

often capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism

c

: of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form

also : of or relating to a composer of this music

5

a

: having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous

b

: marked by expressions of love or affection

c

: conducive to or suitable for lovemaking

6

: of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy

1

: a romantic person, trait, or component

2

capitalized : a romantic writer, artist, or composer

Synonyms

Examples of romantic in a Sentence

Adjective

She had romantic feelings for him. He had a romantic relationship with a coworker. His brother was having romantic troubles at the time. She won't discuss her romantic life with the press. Why can't you be more romantic? He has some romantic notions about life on a farm. She had a lot of big romantic dreams of becoming an actress. Beethoven was the first great Romantic composer. Noun

She married a real romantic who brings her roses every day. Law school is no place for idealists and romantics. Beethoven was the first great Romantic among composers.

Recent Examples on the Web

And while romantic suites and beloved characters have gotten people on planes since the golden age of film, what has changed is how central beautiful venues have become to plots. —Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2024 Frannie is romantic about one thing: the love story of her parents. —Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2024

Millions of love-drunk romantics still rely on swiping as a means of connection, and in increasingly original formats. —Jason Parham, WIRED, 10 Sep. 2024 Wandering through the winding streets and mildewing apartments of the medieval Tuscan city, Leonardo becomes the quintessential teenage romantic, both bursting with youthful promise and corroding from adolescent alienation. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for romantic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'romantic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French romantique, from obsolete romant romance, from Old French romanz

First Known Use

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of romantic was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near romantic

Cite this Entry

“Romantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

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Last Updated: 24 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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