Word
sentimentality
Phoneticssen·ti·men·tal·i·ty, stress on the fourth syllable
US/ˌsɛnəmɛnˈtæɫɪti/
UK/sˌɛntɪmˈɛntˈælɪti/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a feeling of being overly emotional or sentimental, often about the past. It usually describes a lack of judgment when someone is too focused on their feelings.
n. an excessive or uncontrolled tendency to be sentimental, often involving an idealised or nostalgic view of the past. Frequently carries a negative connotation of emotional excess or lack of critical distance.
Examples
“The movie was criticized for its cheap sentimentality.”
“While some people find the old photos touching, others see them as a sign of unnecessary sentimentality.”
“The author's later works were dismissed by critics as a retreat into sentimentality, lacking the sharp social critique that had defined his earlier, more successful novels.”
Examples
simple
“The movie was criticized for its cheap sentimentality.”
contextual
“While some people find the old photos touching, others see them as a sign of unnecessary sentimentality.”
complex
“The author's later works were dismissed by critics as a retreat into sentimentality, lacking the sharp social critique that had defined his earlier, more successful novels.”
Real-World Examples
“Flesh seemed a strong winner to me, too, it’s a novel so utterly committed to its own project (with perhaps a tiny whiff of sentimentality towards the end).” “There are times when Reiner tilts too far into sentimentality, especially when Dreyfuss’ narration reaches for emotions the film might better grasp without a personal story seeming like grist for a novelist’s mill.” Etymology
From sentimental + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sentimentality