# sentimentality

/ˌsɛnəmɛnˈtæɫɪti/ (US) · /sˌɛntɪmˈɛntˈælɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sentimentality
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.