Romanticism

/roʊˈmæntɪˌsɪzəm/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A literary and artistic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that emphasized individualism, emotion, and the glorification of nature and the past.

The works of Wordsworth and Coleridge are often considered exemplary of romanticism.

A tendency to regard or represent things in an idealized or exaggerated manner.

His romanticism about the countryside led him to overlook its hardships.

The quality of being romantic; an inclination towards love and romance.

Their relationship was filled with a sense of romanticism that was reminiscent of classic literature.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'romantic', suggesting a focus on emotion and individual experience.

Common Phrases and Expressions

romantic ideals

Philosophies emphasizing love, beauty, and nature.

romantic era

A period in history associated with the romantic movement.

romantic notion

An idea that is influenced by emotion and imagination.

Related Words

romantic

Pertaining to or characterized by an emphasis on emotion and individual experience.

sentimentalism

The practice of emphasizing emotions, especially in literature and art.

nostalgia

A sentimental longing for the past, often influenced by romantic ideals.

Slang Meanings

To get lost in one's emotions or fantasies.

He was totally romanticizing the situation, making it seem better than it really was.

Being overly sentimental or idealistic about love or relationships.

Don't start romanticizing your high school crush; it was all just a phase.