emotional

adjective

emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of or relating to emotion

an emotional disorder

2

: dominated by or prone to emotion

an emotional person

3

: appealing to or arousing emotion

an emotional sermon

4

: markedly aroused or agitated in feeling or sensibilities

gets emotional at weddings

emotionally

i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• 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

Examples of emotional in a Sentence

He's a very emotional person.

worship at revival meetings often takes a markedly emotional form

Recent Examples on the Web

In these dynamics, emotional depth and vulnerability take a backseat to make way for efficiency. —Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025

At the mention of Welsh’s name the room burst into applause and an emotional standing ovation. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025

Celebrity Style Palmer is going viral for her emotional acceptance speech celebrating Black community. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2025

Both women appeared emotional as the crowd finished the song with enthusiastic cheers for the birthday boy. —Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing emotional

• emotional blackmail
• emotional intelligence
• emotional quotient
• hyper-emotional

Rhymes for emotional

• devotional
• promotional
• motional
• notional
• unemotional

Kids Definition

emotional

adjective

emo·​tion·​al i-ˈmō-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

1

: of or relating to the emotions

an emotional upset

2

: likely to show or express emotion : easily moved

an emotional person

3

: causing one to feel emotion

an emotional speech

emotionally

-ē 

adverb