romanticism

noun

ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈman-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

rə-

1

often capitalized

a(1)

: a literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century, characterized chiefly by a reaction against neoclassicism and an emphasis on the imagination and emotions, and marked especially in English literature by sensibility and the use of autobiographical material, an exaltation of the primitive and the common man, an appreciation of external nature, an interest in the remote, a predilection for melancholy, and the use in poetry of older verse forms

(2)

: an aspect of romanticism

b

: adherence to a romantic attitude or style

2

: the quality or state of being romantic

romanticist

rō-ˈman-tə-sist 

rə-

noun often capitalized

Examples of romanticism in a Sentence

Try not to discourage the romanticism of college students.

Recent Examples on the Web

Intimate shots, which reinforce the early romanticism, make way for unnerving wide-angle close-ups and pans that transform this high-end restaurant into a gilded prison. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, Luisa Beccaria similarly embraced romanticism in its fall ready-to-wear 2025 collection, but with a textile twist—keeping the integrity of romantic design while emphasizing the multifaceted nature of femininity using a mix of fabrication. —Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

The collection, fusing exaggerated silhouettes and structured romanticism with a touch of Moroccan-esque opulence — opens with diaphanous pieces in soft creams and peaches that diffuse light and create fluid movement. —Angela Lei, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Many of the character’s silhouettes also took inspiration from Christian Dior’s work in the 1950s, combining romanticism with classic couture structure. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing romanticism

• pre-romanticism

Rhymes for romanticism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

romanticism

noun

ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈmant-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

1

often capitalized : a literary and artistic movement marked chiefly by an emphasis on the imagination and emotions

2

: the quality or state of being romantic

romanticist

-səst 

noun often capitalized