# emotive

/ˈiˌmoʊtɪv/ (US) · /ɪmˈəʊtɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/emotive
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

describing something that makes you feel a strong emotion, like love, anger, or sadness. It can also describe words or phrases that are used to make people feel a certain way.

For teachers: capable of evoking strong emotional responses; also describes language or rhetoric designed to influence feelings rather than logic.

## Examples

- The speech was very emotive and made many people cry.
- The politician used emotive language to describe the situation, hoping to gain public support for the new law.
- While the data presented was technically accurate, the emotive framing of the report led to a significant public outcry that the government struggled to manage.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.