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

There’s less vibrancy to the hotel bar, less of a rosy tint to the beach, and less romanticism entirely. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2024

There’s no more hiding behind concepts like glory and honor and camaraderie, or the romanticism of flight. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024

There’s a romanticism of clinging to things that used to be, always. —Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2024

Nader elevated her look with a few key accessories, most notably a large black floral brooch pinned to the lapel, which added a touch of romanticism to the structured piece. —Ty Gaskins, WWD, 8 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing romanticism

• pre-romanticism

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