# romanticism

/ɹoʊˈmæntəˌsɪzəm/ (US) · /ɹəʊmˈæntɪsˌɪzəm/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/romanticism
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The painting shows the romanticism of nature.
- The composer's latest symphony is a perfect example of romanticism in classical music.
- While the Enlightenment valued reason and order, romanticism celebrated the individual's inner world and the untamed beauty of the natural landscape.

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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.