romantic
ruh-MAN-tihk
Romantic (adj) means Full of feelings of love, especially idealized or passionate love; evoking that mood. Example: “They booked a romantic candlelit table for their anniversary.”
adj
1
Full of feelings of love, especially idealized or passionate love; evoking that mood.
"They booked a romantic candlelit table for their anniversary."
"The old lighthouse had a romantic, storybook look at sunset."
"He surprised her with a romantic weekend away by the sea."
2
Relating to the Romantic movement in art, music, or literature, which valued emotion and imagination over strict reason.
"Beethoven is often seen as a bridge between Classical and Romantic music."
"The poem's wild, emotional imagery is classic Romantic writing."
"Many Romantic painters preferred stormy landscapes and dramatic skies to calm, orderly scenes."
noun
1
Someone with an idealistic, dreamy view of love or life.
"He's a hopeless romantic who still believes in love at first sight."
"My sister is a real romantic and cries at every wedding she attends."
"Only a romantic would write a love letter by hand these days."
How to use romantic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to love and passion, or to the emotional 19th-century artistic movement that celebrated feeling over logic.
Common pairings
a romantic gesture
romantic comedy
romantic poetry
hopeless romantic
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Word forms
- Plural
- romantics
- Comparative
- more Romantic
- Superlative
- most Romantic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They booked a _____ candlelit table for their anniversary.
Etymology
From French romantique, ultimately tracing back to Old French romanz — the medieval tales of romance and adventure that gave the word its dreamy, idealized sense.
Synonyms
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loving
passionate
amorous
affectionate
tender
sentimental
dreamy
romanticist
romanticistic
amatory
quixotic
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for romantic
See all rhymes for romantic →Frequently asked questions
What does “romantic” mean?
The word “romantic” means full of feelings of love, especially idealized or passionate love; evoking that mood. In plain terms, relating to love and passion, or to the emotional 19th-century artistic movement that celebrated feeling over logic.
How do you pronounce “romantic”?
“Romantic” is pronounced ruh-MAN-tihk (/ɹoʊˈmæn(t)ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “romantic” in a sentence?
Here is “romantic” used in a sentence: “They booked a romantic candlelit table for their anniversary.”
What part of speech is “romantic”?
Depending on how it is used, “romantic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “romantic” come from?
The word “romantic” comes from Old French. From French romantique, ultimately tracing back to Old French romanz — the medieval tales of romance and adventure that gave the word its dreamy, idealized sense.
Is “romantic” a common word?
“Romantic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “romantic” have?
“Romantic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: full of feelings of love, especially idealized or passionate love; evoking that mood.
What is the difference between romantic and platonic?
Romantic describes love marked by passion, attraction, and idealised feeling — the emotion between partners. Platonic describes deep, affectionate love without that attraction, such as a close friendship. The key difference is desire and intimacy: romantic relationships involve them, while platonic ones are warm but non-romantic.
What is the difference between romantic and Romanticism?
Lowercase romantic means full of love or idealised passion. Capital-R Romantic refers to Romanticism, the late-18th to 19th-century movement in art, literature, and music that prized emotion, imagination, and nature over reason. A romantic dinner and a Romantic poem use the word quite differently.
What makes something romantic?
Romantic gestures evoke love and closeness — candlelit dinners, flowers, handwritten notes, a sunset walk, or a heartfelt surprise. The mood usually blends intimacy, thoughtfulness, and a touch of idealism, focusing attention on a loved one. What counts as romantic is personal, but the aim is expressing affection.
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