English Reference
Noun

romanticism

n.
C1 Advanced US /ɹoʊˈmæntəˌsɪzəm/ UK /ɹəʊmˈæntɪsˌɪzəm/ ro·man·ti·cism Art Music

n.a style of art, music, and writing from the late 1700s and early 1800s. It focuses on nature, strong emotions, and the beauty of the past.

n.an artistic and literary movement of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, characterized by an emphasis on emotion, nature, and the sublime. It often contrasts with the rationalism of the Enlightenment.


SIMPLE

The painting shows the romanticism of nature.

CONTEXTUAL

The composer's latest symphony is a perfect example of romanticism in classical music.

COMPLEX

While the Enlightenment valued reason and order, romanticism celebrated the individual's inner world and the untamed beauty of the natural landscape.

A coach close to Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel has described himself as “a football romantic who has learned that romanticism shouldn’t blind you to reality”.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

For their fifth album, the singer-songwriter leans into a more rustic sound, eschewing the elasticated pop of megahit Unholy in favour of low-key romanticism.

The Guardian· 22 Aug 2026

From romantic + -ism.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated