English · Emotions & Feelings
sentimental
/ˌsɛn.tɪˈmɛn.təl/
[/ˌsɛn.tɪˈmɛn.təl/]
emotional, tender
Advancedadjective
Definition
Strongly influenced by emotion and tender feelings, sometimes more than by reason.
Example
She kept the old ticket stub for sentimental reasons, since it reminded her of their first date.
She kept the old ticket stub for sentimental reasons, since it reminded her of their first date.
Etymology
From 'sentiment', from Latin 'sentire' (to feel); popularised by 18th-century literature emphasising tender feeling.
How & Where It’s Used
Can be warm (sentimental value) or mildly critical (overly sentimental films).
Literary Heritage
Laurence Sterne's 1768 novel 'A Sentimental Journey' helped popularise the word in English.