romanticism

noun

ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈman-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce romanticism (audio)
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 noun often capitalized

Examples of romanticism in a Sentence

Try not to discourage the romanticism of college students.
Recent Examples on the Web Believe me, there is no romanticism about it at all. Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2024 Their collaboration suffuses the whole affair with a heady romanticism. Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 9 Sep. 2024 At the Emmy Awards in January, Ortega also channeled romanticism in a Christian Dior dress with a structured, sheer skirt and floral embellishments. Hannah Malach, WWD, 14 Aug. 2024 Clover Hill, a tiny restaurant tucked discreetly into an impossibly charming cobblestoned block in Brooklyn Heights, feels like a secret—such a lovely room, such finesse in the kitchen, such polished romanticism in the service. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for romanticism 

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

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of romanticism was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near romanticism

Cite this Entry

“Romanticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romanticism. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

romanticism

noun
ro·​man·​ti·​cism rō-ˈmant-ə-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce romanticism (audio)
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 noun often capitalized

More from Merriam-Webster on romanticism

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