ro·man·tic
rō-ˈman-tik 
rə-
1
: consisting of or resembling a romance
2
: having no basis in fact : imaginary
3
: impractical in conception or plan : visionary
4
a
: marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized
b
often capitalized
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism
c
: of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form
also
: of or relating to a composer of this music
5
a
: having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous
b
: marked by expressions of love or affection
c
: conducive to or suitable for lovemaking
6
: of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy
1
: a romantic person, trait, or component
2
capitalized
: a romantic writer, artist, or composer
Synonyms
Examples of romantic in a Sentence
Adjective
She had romantic feelings for him.
He had a romantic relationship with a coworker.
His brother was having romantic troubles at the time.
She won't discuss her romantic life with the press.
Why can't you be more romantic?
He has some romantic notions about life on a farm.
She had a lot of big romantic dreams of becoming an actress.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic composer.
Noun
She married a real romantic who brings her roses every day.
Law school is no place for idealists and romantics.
Beethoven was the first great Romantic among composers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Today, the 12-room luxury boutique hotel preserves that same romantic spirit and warm atmosphere.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Below, Yang and Hubbard chat with THR about Molly’s personal and professional journey in season two, reuniting Rudolph with her former SNL co-star Ana Gasteyer, and the romantic pairings audiences will likely never see.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The romantic sierreño, released March 22, also arrives at No. 3 on Latin Streaming Songs with 8.3 million official U.S. streams.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Soldiers are the romantic heroes of the moment, with young women on dating apps seeking out reservists posting photos of themselves in Gaza.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
Perfect for a romantic getaway, honeymoon, or just a unique trip, these properties from Sweden to the Maldives all offer unique experiences to admire the ocean from a new perspective.
—Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The two were in a romantic relationship, officials said.
—USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The track hears the two stars singing about the often toxic back-and-forth following a difficult romantic split.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024
In three quick sequences, Blunt has already given us a rough sketch of who this person is: a world traveler with a lot of life experience under her belt, a bruised romantic, and a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024
This was about a hopeless romantic’s journey through life in her search for love.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2024
He’s had a second act as a basketball romantic who offers commentary on the game in the manner of Walt Whitman rhapsodizing about a commute to Manhattan.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
Nancy, a hopeless romantic is looking for a trustworthy man to share her life with.
—Amaris Encinas, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2023
This eponymous romantic is Cashel Greville Ross, born in 1799.
—Daneet Steffens, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
She had been devoted to finding the perfect man to marry throughout the show’s original run and was often dubbed a hopeless romantic.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
Based on the first novel in Jenny Han’s young adult trilogy, this rom-com follows high schooler Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), the ultimate hopeless romantic.
—Abigail Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2023
Adjective
However, it must also be said that in its final moments, contrary to what most viewers might expect, the movie avoids empty triumphalism on the romantic front, forcing its protagonist to reassess his priorities without closing the door on the possibility of a rosier future.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
Today, the 12-room luxury boutique hotel preserves that same romantic spirit and warm atmosphere.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
Below, Yang and Hubbard chat with THR about Molly’s personal and professional journey in season two, reuniting Rudolph with her former SNL co-star Ana Gasteyer, and the romantic pairings audiences will likely never see.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
The romantic sierreño, released March 22, also arrives at No. 3 on Latin Streaming Songs with 8.3 million official U.S. streams.
—Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Soldiers are the romantic heroes of the moment, with young women on dating apps seeking out reservists posting photos of themselves in Gaza.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2024
Perfect for a romantic getaway, honeymoon, or just a unique trip, these properties from Sweden to the Maldives all offer unique experiences to admire the ocean from a new perspective.
—Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024
The two were in a romantic relationship, officials said.
—USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
The track hears the two stars singing about the often toxic back-and-forth following a difficult romantic split.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
On paper, a remake of Dennis Potter’s exquisite TV drama Pennies From Heaven starring Martin as a bruised romantic with a penchant for lip-syncing Depression-era tunes seems intriguing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024
In three quick sequences, Blunt has already given us a rough sketch of who this person is: a world traveler with a lot of life experience under her belt, a bruised romantic, and a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2024
This was about a hopeless romantic’s journey through life in her search for love.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2024
He’s had a second act as a basketball romantic who offers commentary on the game in the manner of Walt Whitman rhapsodizing about a commute to Manhattan.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024
Nancy, a hopeless romantic is looking for a trustworthy man to share her life with.
—Amaris Encinas, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2023
This eponymous romantic is Cashel Greville Ross, born in 1799.
—Daneet Steffens, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2023
She had been devoted to finding the perfect man to marry throughout the show’s original run and was often dubbed a hopeless romantic.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 13 July 2023
Based on the first novel in Jenny Han’s young adult trilogy, this rom-com follows high schooler Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), the ultimate hopeless romantic.
—Abigail Lee, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'romantic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near romantic
Cite this Entry
“Romantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/romantic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
romantic
1 of 2 noun
ro·man·tic
rō-ˈmant-ik
: a romantic person
especially
: a romantic writer, composer, or artist
romantic
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or resembling a romance
romantic writing
2
3
: impractical
a romantic scheme
4
a
: stressing or appealing to the emotions or imagination
a romantic spot
b
often capitalized
: of or relating to romanticism
5
: of, relating to, or associated with love
romantically
adverb
-i-k(ə-)lē
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